One Of America's Worst States To Retire In Is Also Known For Heavy Traffic

Knowing where to retire can be complicated. Whether you've dreamed of moving abroad or simply hope to be closer to family, many retirees decide to move when the time comes to embrace their golden years. While states like Florida and Arizona consistently see the largest influx of retirees, they are by no means the only option out there. According to a 2024 report from Hire A Helper, more than 338,000 people made retirement-fueled moves in 2023, a whopping 44% increase over 2022 moves.

A particularly important consideration for retirees to take into account when deciding where to move is just how expensive it is to live in a given state. Choosing to uproot your life and move can involve numerous additional expenses, which can be even more complicated when moving to a new state where you might not know the everyday costs of things. This can be especially true when it comes to the possibility of buying a new home. Understanding the 2025 housing market as well as the general cost of living expenses required in your chosen state should be top priorities when researching your retirement. With that said, natural beauty can often end up outweighing other, more practical considerations for many Americans. One state in particular that boasts scenic beaches and coastal living that could be especially appealing to retirees is Rhode Island. However, there is a lot to know about the potential downsides of retiring there before making the big move.

Despite being the smallest state, drivers in Rhode Island can still expect rough traffic wait times. According to 2024 U.S. News and World Report state rankings, Rhode Island ranked last in terms of transportation. This ranking was based on commute times, road quality, bridge quality, and public transportation usage. While the state's commute time ranking placed it at 28th, a road quality ranking of 49th combined with a bridge quality ranking of 47th landed the state in last place.

Beyond traffic and road concerns, retiring in Rhode Island could also end up including significant financial strain. WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the best and worst states to retire in ranked Rhode Island at 47th thanks to low affordability and quality of life rankings. According to Kiplinger, the cost of living in Rhode Island is 12.5% higher than the U.S. average. This can be especially difficult for retirees to navigate as they live on fixed incomes. To make matters worse, the average home price in Rhode Island is 18.7% above the national average. Plus, the effective property tax rate is also relatively high (at 1.23%), especially when you factor in how much higher the home values are in the state. As of 2022, the median amount that residents in Providence County paid was $4,588 in property taxes. Plus, a Blackstone Team report on Rhode Island's 2025 housing market found that the median price for multi-family homes in the state has increased to $563,500, while condo prices have experienced a 9.1% increase compared to the year prior.

It's worth noting that Rhode Island does boast a relatively high public safety score in its U.S. News & World Report state ranking. Similarly the state ranks 5th for health care, with high marks for health care access and public health. Healthcare is an especially important consideration for retirees who often require additional medical needs. Another thing to keep in mind is that Rhode Island does not apply its 7% sales tax to necessities like groceries and clothing, which can be financially helpful for those on a budget. Retirees (or those hoping to retire) in Rhode Island should also make sure to research the specific city or town they are looking to move to for tax exemptions. Certain cities offer property tax credits for eligible retirees that can help to offset the higher costs of property taxes.

With all of this in mind, Zillow's 10 Hottest Housing Markets of 2025 ranked Providence third, which can be both a good and bad thing for retirees looking to move there. This ranking is based on factors like home value growth, the projected change in owner-occupied households, and just how quickly homes are being sold. Zillow predicts that home values will grow by just 3.7% in 2025, which is a noticeable slowdown compared to 2024 (and could lead to more affordable prices). However, for those looking to buy, keep in mind that homes for sale in Providence are being posted as pending in just 12 days so you could face a more competitive market.