Utah: #10 Best State to Retire in 2018

One of our top 10 states for retirement based on financial factors, Utah has the added appeal of national parks and open vistas.

Thinking of retiring out West? Consider Utah. The Beehive State is a great choice for active retirees who love the outdoors. But it's not just lifestyle that makes the state an alluring spot to spend your golden years. Utah snuck in to our top 10 states for retirement for financial reasons, too, despite its unfriendly tax policies. (More on Utah's taxes on retirees later.) After analyzing all 50 states for retirement based on the financial factors most critical to retirees, from health care costs to taxes, Utah ranked 10th on our list of retirement havens. Here's why.

Utah: #10 Best State for Retirement

Population: 2.9 million

Share of population 65+: 10.0% (U.S.: 14.5%)

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Cost of living: 4% above the U.S. average

Average income for 65+ households: $53,211 (U.S.: $53,799)

Average health care costs for a retired couple: Below average at $412,641 (U.S.: $423,523)

Tax rating for retirees: Least Tax Friendly

The Beehive State is a sweet spot for active retirees. Utah ranks second in the U.S. for the overall health of its 65-plus population, according to the United Health Foundation, and offers plenty of outdoor recreation options that are sure to keep you buzzing through retirement. There are five national parks, seven national monuments, five national forests and 43 state parks to host all your hiking, climbing, boating and skiing desires.

Maybe the activity can distract you from the state's unfriendly tax laws—Utah is one of the few states that taxes Social Security benefits, for example. Still, the tax man isn't keeping Utah's seniors down: Even with income levels for older adults just about average for the U.S., the state has the third-lowest poverty rate in the country for people 65 and older.

Learn more about how we ranked all 50 states for retirement including our methodology and data sources.

Stacy Rapacon
Online Editor, Kiplinger.com

Rapacon joined Kiplinger in October 2007 as a reporter with Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and became an online editor for Kiplinger.com in June 2010. She previously served as editor of the "Starting Out" column, focusing on personal finance advice for people in their twenties and thirties.

Before joining Kiplinger, Rapacon worked as a senior research associate at b2b publishing house Judy Diamond Associates. She holds a B.A. degree in English from the George Washington University.