Not all “no-income-tax” states are created equal—and some of the states you’ve been avoiding might actually be financial hidden gems. In this second installment of our two-part series on retirement locations, we dive deep into the numbers behind effective tax rates, deductions, and exemptions, revealing which states quietly reward retirees and which can quietly drain your life savings.

Highlights from this episode include:

The Unexpected Winners: Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey come out on top for tax efficiency. Yes, New Jersey can be a retirement hero under the right circumstances.

The Surprising Losers: Oregon, Minnesota, Hawaii, and New Mexico might make your retirement dream feel expensive, despite gorgeous scenery or “low-tax” branding.

Marriage Matters: Married couples can save up to six percentage points in taxes—enough to turn a modest nest egg into a significantly more comfortable retirement.

Why Effective Tax Rate is King: Forget slogans and state income tax lists. The only number that really matters is what you actually pay after all deductions, exemptions, and costs are considered.

But beyond taxes, and this is primarily why I made this a two-parter, we explore why happiness, community, and lifestyle often matter more than the spreadsheets. Retiring in a state just because it looks cheap might save you a few dollars but cost you your sense of home. The best retirement state balances financial security with quality of life.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or share it with a friend planning their retirement. And if you missed Part 1, we highly recommend listening to last week’s episode to get the full story on The Great Tax Mirage and why “no state income tax” can be misleading.

And if you're interested in learning more about this week's sponsors, the amazing companies who allow this free content to get to you week after week after week, check them out here:

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