2. Wisconsin
No. 2 on our list of the toughest states for retirees is Wisconsin. Similar to Alaska, this state also experiences brutal winters. According to experts, winter temperatures here dip below -30°F—without wind chill. But that’s not all; Wisconsin also gets an average of 47.6 inches of snow. That’s more than double the US average, which is 27.8 inches.
So, if shoveling snow from driveways and sidewalks isn’t your favorite activity (who is it?), you should skip Wisconsin. Moreover, financial experts say the state taxes income from pensions and annuities as well as distributions from 401(k) and IRA plans. And there’s also the fact that Wisconsin has the sixth-highest property taxes in the country. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the toughest states for retirees.
