Bankrate Study Declares Maryland As Worst State To Retire In

SALISBURY, Md.- Bankrate's dive into retiring across the US looks into different categories and scores each state.

Cost of living and property and sales taxes from 2020 is worth forty percent of the score. Wellness contributed to twenty percent. Culture and weather were fifteen percent each and crime accounted for ten percent.

Maryland ranks 47th in affordability and 29th or under in the crime, weather, and culture categories. Retirees like Carol Osman of Allen, Maryland say bankrate.com just doesn't get it.

Living costs and taxes are the largest chunk of that low score. Local real estate agents admit prices are higher than average right now but say Maryland real estate is worth it. 

Maintaining Active Citizens Inc. works with seniors on being able to maintain an independent lifestyle. Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Mike Hedleskey says Mary;and has a welcoming culture.

"They just built up this community and this relationship of people that come in regularly," Hedleskey said. "Our connection centers, formerly our senior centers, where people gather and do activities and stuff for our senior day programs that are open to people 55 and over."

Despite the survey findings, Marylanders like Lil Elligson of Pocomoke says they will keep retiring here.

"We got a lot of rivers and lakes and everything," Elligson said. "I used to do jet skiing. We do boating. A lot of people down there they just help each other out."

As for the other states on Delmarva, Delaware is ranked 23rd while Virginia sits in 31st.