5 Worst States to Retire in for Taxes and Cost of Living

3. Massachusetts

Cost of Living: 148.4

In Massachusetts, social security retirement benefits are fully exempt from taxation. However, most of the other forms of retirement incomes are taxed. The state has a flat personal income tax rate of 5%. There is a 6.25% state-level sales tax as well. Average property taxes are 1.14% of assessed home value, and qualifying seniors can claim a property tax break as well but cost of living is extremely high at 48.4% above the national average.