Quick answer
By no state wage income tax, lower costs, the top five are Wyoming ($257,200 · no wage tax), South Dakota ($243,600 · no wage tax), New Hampshire ($346,500 · no wage tax), Texas ($355,250 · no wage tax), Alaska ($375,900 · no wage tax). Rankings use the Smart Movers Club app's top-scoring places in each state; verify the specific city and county before you decide.
| # | State | Median home value | Home value | Rent | Growth | Places to research |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $257,200 · no wage tax | $257,200 | $943 | +0.5% | Cheyenne, Gillette, Casper |
| 2 | South Dakota | $243,600 · no wage tax | $243,600 | $904 | +1.8% | Sioux Falls, Watertown, Aberdeen |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $346,500 · no wage tax | $346,500 | $1,469 | +0.5% | Keene, Portsmouth, Rochester |
| 4 | Texas | $355,250 · no wage tax | $355,250 | $1,877 | +6.6% | Celina, Sienna, Pecan Grove |
| 5 | Alaska | $375,900 · no wage tax | $375,900 | $1,462 | -0.1% | Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks |
| 6 | Nevada | $411,850 · no wage tax | $411,850 | $1,541 | +1.7% | Enterprise, Fernley, Summerlin South |
| 7 | Florida | $434,050 · no wage tax | $434,050 | $1,973 | +3.0% | Horizon West, Oakleaf Plantation, Keystone |
| 8 | Tennessee | $446,800 · no wage tax | $446,800 | $1,726 | +2.2% | Spring Hill, Farragut, Mount Juliet |
| 9 | Washington | $592,000 · no wage tax | $592,000 | $2,201 | +1.6% | Bothell West, Camas, Mill Creek East |
| 10 | West Virginia | $142,500 | $142,500 | $863 | +0.3% | Morgantown, Charleston, Wheeling |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Where Are Retirees Moving Now?
By no state wage income tax, lower costs, the top five are Wyoming ($257,200 · no wage tax), South Dakota ($243,600 · no wage tax), New Hampshire ($346,500 · no wage tax), Texas ($355,250 · no wage tax), Alaska ($375,900 · no wage tax). Rankings use the Smart Movers Club app's top-scoring places in each state; verify the specific city and county before you decide.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
