9 Worst U.S. States To Retire

3) California

The high taxes in California has made “California dreaming” more of a nightmare. Even income of retirees is fully taxed, and apparently, the highest state income tax rates in the entire United States are imposed in the Golden State.

Currently, sales tax is at 7.5% and in Californian cities and counties where local levies are collected, sales tax can go as high as 10%. Aside from skyrocketing taxes, the high cost of living is high in California, too. In fact, they come a close third when it comes to highest cost of living behind New York and the District of Columbia. Even home values are high. The median home value is $368,600 in California, which is more than double the national median. Rental fees are also steep, so retirees who don’t have their own homes would be facing the burden of high rent.