New Jersey Ranks 35th for Retirees in 2026

Health Care Is the Only Thing Keeping It Out of the Bottom Tier

A new 2026 study from WalletHub evaluated all 50 states to determine which offer the best environments for retirees. The rankings focused on three areas that matter most in retirement:

• Affordability
• Quality of life
• Access to health care

New Jersey ranked 35th overall, placing it firmly in the lower third of states nationwide.

The most telling detail in the study is not simply where New Jersey finished, but why it did not rank even lower. Strong access to health care kept the state from sliding further down the list. In nearly every other category, New Jersey struggled to compete.

New Jersey’s 2026 Retirement Rankings at a Glance

WalletHub’s category scores highlight the imbalance that defines retirement in New Jersey:

• Overall rank: 35th
• Affordability: 45th
• Quality of life: 30th
• Health care: 9th

In short, New Jersey performs well in medical access, but falls behind badly when it comes to cost. For retirees living on fixed or semi-fixed incomes, that imbalance matters.

The Cost Reality for Long-Time New Jersey Homeowners

Even homeowners who no longer carry a mortgage continue to face significant ongoing housing costs in New Jersey.

You may own your home outright, but you are still responsible for:

• High property taxes that create a substantial annual expense
• Utility costs that remain elevated compared to national averages

These recurring costs reduce flexibility in retirement and can strain monthly cash flow. WalletHub’s affordability ranking reflects this reality, placing New Jersey near the bottom nationally.

Health Care Is New Jersey’s Primary Strength

New Jersey ranked 9th nationwide for health care access, one of the state’s strongest metrics in the study.

This reflects:

• Dense hospital networks
• Access to specialists
• Strong outcomes in many medical categories

Health care access remains a meaningful advantage, particularly for aging residents. However, the WalletHub data makes it clear that health care alone is holding New Jersey’s retirement ranking together, while affordability and cost structure pull it down.

Many retirees are now questioning whether remaining full-time New Jersey residents is necessary to maintain quality medical care, especially as other states improve access while offering lower overall living costs.

States New Jersey Retirees Are Moving To, and How They Ranked

As affordability pressures persist, many New Jersey homeowners are choosing to sell and relocate to states that ranked significantly higher in WalletHub’s retirement study.

Below are some of the most common destination states for former New Jersey residents, along with where they placed in the 2026 rankings.

Wyoming, Ranked #1

Wyoming topped the WalletHub list overall, driven by low taxes, lower housing costs, and minimal tax burden on retirement income. While less densely populated than New Jersey, it appeals to retirees focused on affordability and financial simplicity.

Florida, Ranked #2

Florida remains one of the most popular relocation choices for New Jersey retirees. It offers no state income tax, a large retirement population, and strong health care access in major metro areas. Despite rising insurance costs in some regions, Florida still ranked far higher than New Jersey overall.

South Dakota, Ranked #3

South Dakota scored highly due to low taxes, manageable living expenses, and favorable treatment of retirement income. It continues to attract retirees focused on preserving wealth and controlling long-term costs.

Colorado, Ranked #4

Colorado appeals to retirees seeking outdoor lifestyle options, strong medical systems, and stable tax policies. While not the lowest-cost state, it ranked well above New Jersey due to balance across all categories.

Minnesota, Ranked #5

Minnesota rounded out the top five with strong health care access and stable quality-of-life metrics. Despite colder winters, it outperformed New Jersey across affordability and overall retirement support.

Pennsylvania, Ranked #8

For retirees who prefer to remain closer to family in the Northeast, Pennsylvania ranked significantly higher than New Jersey. Housing costs and property taxes are generally lower, particularly outside major metro areas.

Delaware, Ranked #7

Delaware’s strong ranking reflects low property taxes, no state or local sales tax, and proximity to Mid-Atlantic health care systems. It is often viewed as a quieter, lower-cost alternative to New Jersey.

North Carolina, Ranked #13

North Carolina continues to attract former New Jersey residents seeking lower property taxes, moderate climates, and accessible medical care. Its ranking reflects a strong balance between affordability and lifestyle.

South Carolina, Ranked #17

South Carolina benefits from lower property taxes and favorable treatment of retirement income. Both coastal and inland communities remain more affordable than comparable areas in New Jersey.

Arizona, Ranked #18

Arizona remains a popular retirement destination due to planned senior communities, lower housing costs, and established medical infrastructure.

What the Rankings Mean for New Jersey Homeowners Over 55

WalletHub’s 2026 study reinforces what many long-time New Jersey homeowners are already evaluating:

• The state offers excellent medical access
• The cost structure remains among the highest in the country
• Retirement income stretches further elsewhere
• Home equity can often be repositioned more efficiently outside New Jersey

For many retirees, relocation is not about dissatisfaction. It is about aligning retirement with long-term financial sustainability.

Thinking About Leaving New Jersey?

If you are approaching retirement and questioning whether staying in New Jersey still makes financial sense, you are not alone. Many long-time homeowners are quietly exploring what life could look like with lower taxes, lower carrying costs, and fewer financial pressures.

Before making any decisions, it helps to understand:

• What your New Jersey home may be worth in today’s market
• How much equity you could unlock by selling
• Whether a move could improve your retirement flexibility

EscapeFromNewJersey.com exists to help New Jersey homeowners think through these questions without pressure or obligation.

If you are considering a move, or simply want clarity on your options, explore the resources on this site and see how other New Jersey residents are planning their next chapter.

Sometimes the smartest retirement move is not downsizing your lifestyle, but downsizing the state.