When it comes to retirement, not everybody is a couple. In fact, as of the 2023 U.S. Census, roughly 28% of people 65 and older in America live alone.
That’s roughly 16 million people. Back in 1950, one in ten lived alone in retirement. Blame it on divorce, never having married, or the death of a spouse, but either way, a growing number of older adults are going it alone.
As a result, where they live out their older years is important from a health care and cost-of-living standpoint. With one income, living in an expensive city may not be an option, and if they live in a place that doesn’t have easy access to health care, that can add an undue burden to their quality of life.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Recognizing those challenges, Caring.com came out with a list of the top three places for people over 65 living alone to live out their retirement. The study looks at the population of people over 65, the cost of living, the proportion of nursing and assisted living facilities, access to health care and costs in each state.
The study does not take into account weather, entertainment options, walkability, community, classes and culture when coming up with its best places to retire.
But if health care and cost of living are what really matter to you, these three states may be worth considering.
Arkansas tops the list
Solo Living Score: 8.57 out of 10
When it comes to the cost of living, Arkansas, otherwise known as the Natural State thanks to its abdudance of mountains, lakes and hot springs, has one of the lowest costs of living, with a score of 88.7 out of 100, thanks in part to low property taxes and affordable housing, according to Caring.com.
As for the number of nursing facilities per 100,000 people over 65, Caring.com puts that at 41.9, which it says is in the top 10.
Meanwhile, the state’s health care cost index score is 85.7, which is the lowest in the nation, according to Caring.com.
It doesn’t hurt that one in three residents of the state has Medicaid, which can defray the costs of health care. If you want to rent, you are in luck, too. The state average rent is $701 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Missouri comes in second place
Solo Living Score: 8.09/10
Missouri, known as the Show-Me State and popular for its Ozark Mountains, came in second. The state not only has a health care cost index score of 91.8, putting it in the top ten for the nation, but it also has access to top health care facilities in St. Louis.
The state is also in the top ten for its proportion of assisted-living communities, which is at 97.5 per 100,000 people over 65, according to Caring.com.
It also boasts a low cost of living and has an affordability score of 8.71 out of 10. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Missouri is $677 a month
Kansas rounds out the top three in third place
Solo Living Score: 7.98/10
Kansas, otherwise known as the Sunflower State because of the abundance of sunflowers grown throughout the state, ranked high in Caring.com’s survey. Kansas has the second-highest proportion of nursing facilities at 62.7 per 100,000 people over 65 years old. It's also affordable, with a cost-of-living index score of 87.
With no sales tax on food, getting healthy meals is affordable for older adults in this state. If you want to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Kansas, it won’t break the bank, coming in at $714 per month.
Related content
-
Vacationing With the Grandkids: What Could Go Wrong?Traveling with your grandkids may be on your bucket list, but before you book the trip, consider the downsides of gramping.
-
Our Annual Grandparents’ Guide to Today’s Pop ArtistsIf you grew up loving Dylan, Coltrane or other great artists, here are some modern musicians that tap into similar styles and spirits. Check out our playlist.
-
Our Annual Grandparents’ Guide to Today’s Pop Artists
If you grew up loving Dylan, Coltrane or other great artists, here are some modern musicians that tap into similar styles and spirits. Check out our playlist.
-
What You Expect in Retirement vs What You Get: Where Reality Can Surprise YouA financial planner explores how your expectations for retirement can greatly differ from reality — and how you can plan for that.
-
Retirement Spending Got You Stressed? Six Signs You Need HelpSaving for retirement is the easy part. Spending those retirement dollars may cause too much stress and require help.
-
What's Up With the 10-Year Treasury Bond: Four Financial Experts Weigh InA financial professional and three colleagues explain the fluctuations in the 10-year Treasury bond and what investors should do.
-
Thinking About Buying a Boat? 10 Things to Know FirstPlanning on buying a boat in retirement? Think of it as a hole in the water you dump money into, says one expert. But it's not all bad.
-
Time to Spring-Clean Your Finances: A Financial Professional's Four Steps to Tidy Them UpA midyear review of everything from spending to saving, with adjustments as needed, can set you on track to financial security. Plus, don't forget to check in on your workplace benefits.
-
Is Your Social Security Earnings Record Wrong? Here's How to Fix ItYour Social Security benefits are based on your Social Security earnings record. It's important to review your records to avoid having your benefits reduced.
-
Eight Ways To Save on Your Next Luxury TripLooking for ways to stretch your retirement dollars? Follow these tips to get a deal on your next vacation.
