Retirement planning involves more than just saving money and choosing when to stop working. According to WalletHub, the worst retirement destinations struggle with high living costs, limited recreational activities opportunities, poor healthcare access, and substandard quality of life measures.
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino ranks last at 182nd place with a total score of 35.71 points. The city struggles severely across all categories, with particularly poor rankings in activities and quality of life, both at 172nd place. Healthcare access also ranks poorly at 172nd place, making it the absolute worst retirement destination.
Stockton, California
Stockton holds the 181st position with a score of 36.92 points out of all possible rankings. The city performs poorly in activities, ranking 176th, while quality of life sits at 133rd place. Despite moderate affordability at 134th rank, healthcare limitations at 145th place create major concerns for this place as a retirement destination.
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Ranked 180th overall with 37.26 points, Rancho Cucamonga faces significant retirement challenges. The city ranks 177th in activities and 151st in affordability categories. Quality of life performs better at 85th place, but healthcare access remains problematic at 143rd rank.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield sits at 179th place with a total score of 37.41 points. The city ranks worst in activities at 182nd place while maintaining moderate affordability at 109th. Quality of life measures rank 123rd, but healthcare access is severely limited at 168th place, making it not an ideal place for retirement.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark ranks 178th overall with 38.18 total points across all retirement categories. The city shows moderate performance in activities at 87th place and decent healthcare at 118th. However, affordability ranks poorly at 159th, while quality of life stands at 163rd place.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit holds 177th place with a score of 38.27 points for retirement suitability. The city performs reasonably in activities, ranking 101st, but struggles significantly with quality of life at 182nd place. Affordability ranks 129th, while healthcare access is at the 152nd position.
Fresno, California
Fresno ranks 176th with 38.40 total points across retirement measurement categories. The city struggles most with activities, ranking 175th, while affordability sits at 108th. Quality of life ranks 140th, and healthcare access remains limited at 162nd, making Fresco not a great retirement place.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport holds 175th place with 38.48 points in retirement rankings nationwide. The city faces severe affordability challenges, ranking 175th, while activities rank 154th. Quality of life measures sit at 153rd, though healthcare access performs better at 19th place.
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita ranks 174th overall with 38.98 total points for retirement considerations. The city maintains moderate affordability at 107th place but struggles with activities at 136th rank. Quality of life ranks poorly at 166th, while healthcare access is at 165th place.
Fontana, California
Fontana holds 173rd place with 39.10 points across retirement measurement categories. The city ranks 174th in activities, while affordability stands at 136th place. Quality of life performs moderately at 93rd rank, but healthcare remains limited at 157th position, making Fontana not an ideal destination for retirement.
Riverside, California
Riverside ranks 172nd with 39.73 total points for retirement suitability nationwide. The city shows balanced but poor performance with activities at 135th and affordability at 135th place. Quality of life ranks 130th, while healthcare access is at 140th position, due to which Riverside is not an excellent retirement place.
Pearl City, Hawaii
Pearl City holds 171st place with 39.98 points despite an excellent quality of life at 1st rank. The city faces extremely affordability challenges, ranking 180th, while activities rest at 164th place. Healthcare access ranks moderately at only the 101st position.
Ontario, California
Ontario ranks 170th overall with 40.24 total points across retirement categories. The city struggles with activities ranking 159th and moderate affordability at 137th place. Quality of life sits at 113th while healthcare access ranks 148th, making Ontario a poor place for retirement.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick holds 169th place with 40.35 points for retirement measurement standards. The city ranks 117th in activities and 148th in affordability categories. Quality of life ranks at 136th place, while healthcare access performs a little better at 95th rank.
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma ranks 168th with 40.52 total points across all retirement factors. The city performs well in activities at 68th place, but struggles with affordability at 158th rank. Quality of life is at 150th while healthcare access ranks 99th.
Spokane, Washington
Spokane holds 167th place with 40.53 points in retirement suitability rankings. The city shows moderate affordability at 130th place but struggles with activities at 150th rank. Quality of life ranks 155th, while healthcare access sits at 102nd position. This makes Spokane not an ideal place for retirement.
