Best states to live, retire & pay less tax

New Hampshire

Income tax: None · No income or sales tax; very safe, high property tax.

Florida

Income tax: None · No income tax; big retiree draw, hurricane risk.

Utah

Income tax: 4.55% flat · Strong economy, low crime, young population.

South Dakota

Income tax: None · No income tax, low crime, cold winters.

Wyoming

Income tax: None · No income tax, lowest overall tax burden.

Iowa

Income tax: 3.8% flat · Retirement income exempt at 55+.

Virginia

Income tax: 2%–5.75% · Safe, well-educated, strong healthcare.

Idaho

Income tax: 5.695% flat · Low crime, fast-growing, rising housing costs.

North Carolina

Income tax: 4.25% flat · Flat tax, mild climate, fast growth.

North Dakota

Income tax: 0%–2.5% · Among the lowest income taxes; brutal winters.

Arizona

Income tax: 2.5% flat · Flat tax, no Social Security tax; hot summers.

Nebraska

Income tax: 2.46%–5.2% · Social Security exempt; high property taxes.

Georgia

Income tax: 5.39% flat · Large retirement-income exclusion after 62.

Tennessee

Income tax: None · No income tax; high sales tax.

Washington

Income tax: None (7% cap gains) · No income tax; high sales tax and housing costs.

Texas

Income tax: None · No income tax; property taxes are steep.

Wisconsin

Income tax: 3.5%–7.65% · Safe and affordable; Social Security exempt.

Alabama

Income tax: 2%–5% · No tax on Social Security or pensions.

Pennsylvania

Income tax: 3.07% flat · Retirement income untaxed — strong for retirees.

Delaware

Income tax: 2.2%–6.6% · No sales tax; popular retiree destination.

Colorado

Income tax: 4.25% flat · Flat tax, partial retirement-income exclusion.

Indiana

Income tax: 3.0% flat · Low flat tax, affordable housing.

South Carolina

Income tax: 0%–6.2% · Big retirement deduction, low property taxes.

Nevada

Income tax: None · No income tax; healthcare access lags.

Maine

Income tax: 5.8%–7.15% · Safest state by crime rate; older population.

Ohio

Income tax: 2.75%–3.5% · Affordable, Social Security exempt.

Kentucky

Income tax: 4.0% flat · Low costs, pension income partly exempt.

Missouri

Income tax: 2%–4.7% · Social Security fully exempt, low costs.

Kansas

Income tax: 5.2%–5.58% · Social Security now fully exempt.

Minnesota

Income tax: 5.35%–9.85% · High taxes, top-tier healthcare and safety.

Michigan

Income tax: 4.25% flat · Affordable, phasing out retirement-income tax.

Arkansas

Income tax: 2%–3.9% · Very low cost of living, modest services.

Massachusetts

Income tax: 5% (9% over $1M) · Best-in-class healthcare, expensive housing.

Hawaii

Income tax: 1.4%–11% · Very high costs, no tax on most pensions.

West Virginia

Income tax: 2.36%–4.82% · Cheapest housing in the country.

Mississippi

Income tax: 4.4% flat · Cheapest state overall; weak health outcomes.

Vermont

Income tax: 3.35%–8.75% · Extremely safe, high taxes, small job market.

Oklahoma

Income tax: 0.25%–4.75% · Low cost, low taxes, weaker health system.

Rhode Island

Income tax: 3.75%–5.99% · Small, safe, coastal; taxes on the high side.

Montana

Income tax: 4.7%–5.9% · No sales tax, wide-open space, thin services.

New Jersey

Income tax: 1.4%–10.75% · Highest property taxes, very safe, great schools.

Connecticut

Income tax: 2%–6.99% · High property taxes, strong schools and safety.

Illinois

Income tax: 4.95% flat · Retirement income untaxed, property taxes high.

Maryland

Income tax: 2%–5.75% + local · High incomes, high combined taxes.

New Mexico

Income tax: 1.7%–5.9% · Low costs, high crime, sunny climate.

California

Income tax: 1%–13.3% · High taxes and housing costs, strong economy.

Louisiana

Income tax: 3% flat · Very low property taxes, high crime rates.

Oregon

Income tax: 4.75%–9.9% · No sales tax but high income tax.

Alaska

Income tax: None · No income or state sales tax; pays a yearly dividend.

New York

Income tax: 4%–10.9% · Pensions exempt, but overall tax burden is the highest.