The best (and worst) states for doctors to retire in 2025
Key Takeaways
When planning for retirement, many people, including physicians, seek an ideal location where they can enjoy the rest of their lives in comfort. This often involves relocating to a place that best suits their needs.
The best states to retire to
Florida. With its warm climate, affordable cost of living, and tax-friendly policies, this state stands out as a top choice for retirees.[] For physicians, it’s especially attractive due to the ongoing doctor shortage in areas like Havana, Florida. Havana leaders are hopeful that the offer of rent-free perks and other incentives will attract a doctor to settle in the area.[]
Minnesota. The study found that Minnesota leads the nation in healthcare facilities, with its geriatric hospitals ranked fifth-best overall. The state's healthcare system is exceptional, contributing to the third-lowest percentage of seniors with disabilities, the fourth-lowest rate of poor mental health among seniors, and the fifth-highest percentage of seniors in good physical health.[] A retirement profile of Minnesota physicians revealed that they are generally healthy, financially secure, and dedicate much of their free time to non-medical activities.[]
Colorado. Colorado earned a spot on the list due to its stunning natural beauty, featuring mountains, national parks, and lakes, along with mild winters, warm summers, abundant outdoor activities, and tax advantages.[]
Wyoming. Known as the Cowboy State, Wyoming is considered one of the premier retirement destinations, thanks to its lack of state income tax, breathtaking landscapes like Yellowstone National Park, low population density, affordable housing, and exceptional healthcare. For physicians, the best retirement destinations in Wyoming include Cody, Sheridan, Casper, Jackson, and Lander. These towns offer a balanced combination of outdoor recreation, access to high-quality healthcare, and a welcoming sense of community.
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a popular retirement destination, offering tax benefits, an affordable cost of living, excellent healthcare, and a high overall quality of life. For doctors looking to retire, ideal cities include Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster, Scranton, and Allentown. These locations provide quality healthcare, ample outdoor activities, and diverse housing options.
The the least favorable states to retire to
Kentucky. Kentucky ranks among the worst states to retire for physicians due to its high cost of living, limited cultural activities, vulnerability to natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, and a shortage of healthcare providers. Furthermore, the state has high levels of poverty and unemployment, which can impact physicians who want to retire there and rely on a stable economy to support their retirement savings and income.
Louisiana. While Louisiana offers a low cost of living, it is not an ideal retirement destination for physicians due to high crime rates, limited healthcare infrastructure, and an overall low quality of life. It has a low number of physicians per capita and poor access to quality medical care.
Mississippi. Mississippi, like some other states on this list, has low-quality healthcare and high poverty rate, and is considered one of the less desirable retirement destinations for physicians. With regards to health metrics, the state has low scores, especially pertaining to the number of doctors available and inadequate healthcare facilities.
Washington. Despite the state’s natural beauty, Washington ranks as an undesirable retirement destination for physicians due to its high cost of living, lackluster economic environment, low tax-friendliness, and unaffordable healthcare. Amongst all 50 states, the state ranks very low in several categories including annual cost of in-home services (48th), property-crime rate (49th), and tax-friendliness (36th).[]
New Mexico. New Mexico is less than ideal for retirement due to high crime rates, particularly violent crimes targeting the elderly, and inadequate healthcare services. The state has a health care workforce crisis, which includes expensive insurance and a high percentage of patients on Medicaid.