The Best State To Live In For Senior Care, According To Research
Getting older is a part of life. However, many people will require extra medical care during their final years. (This is why it's critical to know the signs that a senior loved one might need in-home care.)
In fact, 70% of individuals who live longer than age 65 will require some kind of long-term support care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those who want the best possible treatment access and options — and have the flexibility to relocate without losing the benefits of being social while aging — may want to consider spending later life in a location known for having the best senior care.
Two states are in the running, based on the results of different studies released in late 2025. The first study was conducted by Retirement Living (via Newsweek). The study based its findings on a range of practical, social, medical, and even environmental factors. In that study, Hawaii emerged as the winning state due to the quality of senior care facilities, among other characteristics. The second study, which was from Beca Life, ranked Hawaii third, and found Mississippi to be a better place for seniors to get specialized eldercare in long-term facilities. Upon closer inspection, however, one edges out the other.
Affordability may or may not be a consideration
What's especially fascinating about these two results is the wide cost of living disparity between Hawaii and Mississippi. Hawaii tops the charts as one of the most expensive places to live, with Stacker noting that the state outpaces even California for healthcare, housing, transportation, and related prices. In contrast, Mississippi landed on the number two spot in terms of its affordability (via U.S. News and World Reports). Likewise, Caring.com gave Mississippi a 9.8 out of 10 for being the state where retirement income and Medicaid spending stretch the furthest for seniors in need of home health or long-term living care.
In other words, the amount of money it takes to live comfortably in a state doesn't always matter when it comes to the senior care you can expect to receive. Other considerations are at play, such as access to assisted living and nursing homes, as well as the reputation of those types of residential facilities. That said, Hawaii seems to hold more opportunities for seniors in other categories.
Quality of nursing homes and quality of life
For instance, Hawaii far outpaces when it comes to nursing home quality, landing at the top of a list of all the states (via U.S. News and World Reports). In the same list, Mississippi sits close to the bottom, just five spots from the lowest quality.
(Read how nursing home staff shortages may affect your family members who live in one.)
When considering life expectancy, Hawaii comes in at 67.5 years on average, and Mississippi falls behind at 61.1 years (per World Population Review). And for preventable hospitalizations among people between the ages of 65 and 74, Hawaii comes in third and Mississippi 45th, according to America's Health Rankings.
What does this mean for your future or the future of your older relatives? If you're able to afford the price of living in Hawaii in your 60s and beyond, you may want to consider the senior-focused benefits that come with living in the state.
On the other hand, if your budget isn't exactly Hawaii-friendly, you may want to look elsewhere — or take the advice of the executive director of the National Center for Assisted Living, LaShaun Bethea (via AARP): "Starting the search early allows time for financial planning, can relieve some of the anxiety and build confidence when it is decision-making time."