If you’re a Seattleite dreaming about retirement, where you choose to settle can seriously impact how long your savings last. A recent report from the Federal Reserve found that 65% of non-retired adults in the U.S. feel their retirement savings are not on pace. With that in mind, personal finance site WalletHub evaluated all 50 states using 46 measures of retirement-friendliness—from taxes and cost of living to healthcare access and recreational opportunities.
The results weren’t great news for folks planning to stay in the Evergreen State. Washington landed in the bottom 10 overall, ranking ahead of only seven other states. It earned a total score of 45.63. For comparison, the lowest-ranked state, Kentucky, scored 41.83, while top-ranked Wyoming came in at 61.56.
Each state was also graded in three major categories: affordability, quality of life, and healthcare. Washington struggled most with affordability, ranking #46—a stat that probably won’t shock anyone living in Seattle. On the brighter side, the state performed much better in quality of life and healthcare, placing #17 in both categories. However, it’s worth noting that Washington has one of the nation’s highest costs for in-home care, with only three states reporting higher prices.
For retirees who can comfortably handle the region’s high living expenses — and who value strong healthcare, natural beauty, and staying close to family and community — Washington may still feel like home. But if stretching your retirement dollars is the priority, you might want to look at WalletHub’s top 10 states for retirement in 2026:
- Wyoming
- Florida
- South Dakota
- Colorado
- Minnesota
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- New Hampshire
- Iowa
See the full report and ranking on WalletHub.