The Worst State For Retirement Had Poor Affordability, Safety, And Health Care Rankings

Louisiana has a lot going for it –- from its unique culture and history to the fact that it is one of the cheapest states to buy a house in America. Where it does not excel, however, is as a home for retirees. A Bankrate study showed that, as of 2025, Louisiana is the worst state in the U.S. to retire, ranking No. 43 in affordability, No. 48 in safety, and No. 37 in healthcare, as well as experiencing high crime rates and poor weather conditions, both of which came in at No. 39 on the list.

All of these factors are vital to feeling comfortable and protected in wherever you call home, but especially if you are a retiree. While it might not be one of the best or worst states to retire in overall, there are enough concerns to warrant avoiding calling The Pelican State home during your golden years. Retirees have a lot of choices for where they can live post-career, but it's clear from the data that Louisiana might not be the right place to call home.

At first, Louisiana appears to be a dream location for retirement. Depending on your lifestyle during retirement, you could live fairly modestly in Louisiana, with BestPlaces noting that a single person's cost of living averages $2,767 a month, or $33,200 annually in 2025 — which is 42% less than the rest of the United States. Additionally, if you are looking to live in a senior living center or require assisted care, Louisiana is the state with the most affordable long-term care — nearly 38% below the national average, according to RetireGuide. However, it's a gamble between low cost of living and a high risk of natural disasters and victimization from criminal activity.

Data from Bankrate found that, in 2025, Louisiana had crime rates that are generally higher than everywhere else in the nation, particularly when it comes to property and violent crimes. Plus, the state has generally worse inclement weather, including 12 hurricanes between 2002 and 2023. Nerdwallet found that, in 2025, the average annual cost of home insurance in Louisiana was 5% more than the national average, at $2,220. As climate change continues to wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast year after year, Louisiana will increasingly have cities on the list of where you should avoid buying a home.