Where Does South Dakota Rank among the Best Places to Retire?

When a lot of us envision what our retirement years will be like, we imagine ourselves on a beach somewhere, far away from the bitter cold of South Dakota winters.

But despite having a weather score in the bottom ten (41st) nationally and landing in the bottom half on the wellness index (30th), the Mount Rushmore State was ranked the 13th best place to retire in America by BankRate.com.

Top 20 scores in two other categories helped bolster the state's overall score. South Dakota ranked 13th in culture (arts, entertainment, recreation establishments, and restaurants per capita) and 18th in affordability.

Get our free mobile app

Money was the main driving factor in determining which states were the best retirement destinations.

Top-ranked Georgia was third in affordability and fourth in weather. Number-two Florida was second in affordability, while the most cost-efficient state, Tennessee, was ranked third.

BEST STATES FOR RETIREMENT (BankRate.com)

1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Missouri
5. Massachusetts
6. Wyoming
7. Arizona
8. Ohio
9. Indiana
10. Kentucky

As for the least desirable retirement destinations, cost played a big role.

Maryland is 47th in affordability, while Minnesota is 39th. Third-worst Kansas tied South Dakota with the 41st worst weather score.

WORST STATES FOR RETIREMENT (BankRate.com)

1. Maryland
2. Minnesota
3. Kansas
4. Montana
5. Alaska
6. Maine
7. Arkansas
8. Alabama
9. Idaho
10. Connecticut