The Solo Living Index

Table of contents

Which are the best US states to live independently?

For many people living alone is a liberating experience, leaving them free to live life on their own terms and foster greater independence from others. It can also be an unfortunate necessity as we grow older. However, The rising cost of living can also make it difficult for some living on a single income to afford essentials like prescription medications, rent, food, and utility bills.

But which is the best US state to be a young single person, and which state is best for elderly singles? NiceRx has delved into the data, looking at cost of living and healthcare factors to reveal the best locations for the single life, both young and old.

Best-states-for-solo-living

⦁ Idaho
Solo living Score: 6.5/10

Taking the top spot on our list with a score of 6.5 is Idaho. Nicknamed the gem state because of its breathtaking landscapes, Idaho is perfect for solitary nature lovers. With wide-open spaces and friendly neighbors, it scored as one of the safest places in our index. The state also has a high number of group activities per 100,000 people.

⦁ Nebraska
Solo living Score: 6.4/10

One of the most affordable states for rent in our index, making it perfect to live comfortably on a single income, Nebraska ranks second with an overall score of 6.4. The state also ranks highly for the number of hospitals per 100,000 and is among the safest locations in our index too. Most of Nebraska’s population live rurally, so it’s an ideal state for those who wish to move to a place with a slower and more peaceful lifestyle.

⦁ Louisiana
Solo living Score: 6.3/10

Taking third place in our index is Louisiana with a score of 6.3. The state benefits from a relatively low cost of living and ranks in the top 10 lowest rent prices. As well as having a relatively high number of single-person households, Louisiana has one of the highest numbers of group activities per 100,00 people, solidifying its reputation as the festival capital of America and as an ideal place for those living on their own to meet new people.

Best-state-for

 

Lowest rent – Kentucky ($763 average monthly rent)

Affordability of housing is a chief concern, with rent prices differing drastically across states. The cheapest US state in terms of rent is Kentucky, with a median rent price of $763 per month for a 1 bedroom apartment in the bluegrass state.

Lowest Cost of living – New Mexico (63.9 cost of living index score)

One of the most important things to consider when moving to a new state is determining the amount of money you need to spend on food energy bills and taxes. In our index, New Mexico had the lowest cost of living index, with its residents giving it a cumulative score of 63.9 out of 100. This could be due to the fact it has some of the lowest state and local taxes in the country.

Safest state for solo living – Utah (67.2/100 safety score)

The crime rate is another important factor when thinking about moving to a new area, especially if you’re living alone. When looking into the safety of each state, Utah ranks as the most secure with an index score of 67.2 out of 100, according to submissions from its residents.

Most singletons – New Mexico (31.3% single-person households)

One key aspect of deciding which state to relocate to is finding like-minded people. In this case, people who also live independently. We found that New Mexico has the highest percentage of single-person households, with 31.3% living alone.

Number of group activities per 100,000 – Colorado (5.80)

Moving to a new state on your own can be a lonely experience for some and many people choose to join in with group activities, such as community volunteering projects and exercise classes, in order to make friends. With this in mind, we found Colorado has the highest number of group activities per 100,000 at 5.80.

Number of hospitals per 100,000 – Alaska (16.7)

Access to healthcare is vital to consider when thinking about moving to a new state. Alaska had the highest, with 16.7 per 100,000 people, perhaps due to its low population.

Number of health centers per million – Florida (6.47)

As well as hospitals, health centers play a key role in deciding where to relocate, in order to keep you healthy and happy in your new home state. Florida has the most health centers with 6.47 per million people.

Average annual health insurance cost – New Mexico ($6,088)

The cost of health insurance is essential to consider when thinking about which state to relocate to, as it’s important to give yourself financial protection in case of an accident or a serious illness. New Mexico has the cheapest average health insurance with a cost of $6,088 per year.

Best-for-elderly-solo-living

⦁ Utah
Solo living Score: 7.5/10

Coming first in our rankings is Utah with a score of 7.5. The state has a very low cost of assisted living coupled with a high number of assisted living facilities as well as scoring highly for healthcare quality. Utah’s thriving economy and ample opportunities for retirees to keep active make it an attractive location for older generations.

⦁ Idaho
Solo living Score: 6.6/10

With a score of 6.6, Idaho comes second in our index. Like Utah, Idaho has a high number of assisted living facilities per 100,000 people, twinned with a relatively low cost of assisted living. The state also ranks highly for healthcare quality. Known for its scenic beauty, Idaho is the perfect place for retirees who love to commune with nature.

⦁ Wisconsin
Solo living Score: 6.4/10

This state scored 6.4, taking it to third place in our index. Wisconsin scores relatively highly for both healthcare quality and accessibility. It also has a high number of assisted living facilities per 100,000 people. Famous for its cheese production and the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin holds much more for retirees, with a strong sense of community and a passion for festivals as well as more than 500 golf courses, Wisconsin is an attractive destination for solo retirees.

Best-state-for

Assisted living facilities per 100,000 – Oklahoma (35 per 100,000 population)

An important factor to consider when choosing a state to move to as a single elderly person is perhaps choosing an assisted living facility, as they provide numerous benefits such as safety and the ability to socialize. With this in mind, Oklahoma takes the top spot for assisted living facilities, with 10 more per 100,000 than its closest competitor at 35 per 100,000.

Lowest cost for solo living – North Dakota ($29,149 per year)

Also, a key factor is the cost of assisted living facilities, as this can vary greatly by state as well as the fact that people are increasingly living longer. This may put a strain on many retirees’ pensions, especially if they’re only relying on a single pension. North Dakota ranks first in our index, with the lowest average cost of $29,149 per year.

Lowest pension needed to live comfortably – Mississippi ($44,758 per year)

Managing your finances can be difficult when you’re on a single fixed income, making it important to think about how far your pension will go in terms of the cost of living. Mississippi has the lowest average annual pension required to live comfortably at just $44,758 leaving many free to enjoy their retirement without money worries.

The best state for healthcare access – Hawaii

Access to healthcare can become a top priority for many elderly people wishing to relocate on their own. With this considered, the best state for healthcare access is Hawaii, coming top of our list.

The best state for healthcare quality – Hawaii

As well as having plenty of access to healthcare, it’s important that elderly people get the highest quality healthcare too. As with healthcare access, Hawaii also comes first in healthcare quality.

The best state for public health – California

Keeping healthy is vital in old age, with public health programs helping to prevent the biggest threats to the health and wellbeing of the population. California tops the ranking for public health, making it one of the most health-conscious states.

Assistance with prescription drug prices

NiceRx helps individuals access over 1,500 FDA-approved brand name medications including Ozempic, Linzess, Xarelto, Brilinta, Janumet XR and Januvia.

Methodology

We looked at each US state, ranking each on the following factors, giving them a normalized score out of 10 for each factor before taking a final average score across all ten. Note that some states had to be omitted due to a lack of data.

Median monthly rent for 1 bedroom
The average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in each state in 2022 according to world population review.

Percentage of single-person households
The percentage of single-person households in each state as of 2019, taken from Statista.

Safety score
The average safety index scores of cities – grouped by state – according to Numbeo.

Cost of living
The average cost of living index scores of cities – grouped by state – according to Numbeo.

Activity groups
The number of events listed on eventbrite in each state for the month of March, per 100,000 people.

Hospitals
The number of hospitals in each state according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, per 100,000 people.

Number of health centers
The number of health centers in each state according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, per million people.

Average health insurance cost $
The average of per enrollee private health insurance spending on personal health care, per enrollee Medicaid spending on personal healthcare, and per-enrollee medicare spending on personal healthcare from 2019 or the latest data available from datausa.

Population Figures
The population totals by state according to world population review.

Number of assisted living facilities
The total number of assisted living facilities in each state in 2021 according to Consumer Affairs, per 100,000 of the state population.

The average yearly cost of assisted living
The average cost of an assisted living facility per year in each state, according to Consumer Affairs.

Average annual pension needed to live comfortably
The average yearly expenses of retirees to afford a reasonable standard of living by state, according to world population review.

Healthcare access rank
A state’s ranking based on adult and child wellness visits is taken from USA News 2021 Healthcare rankings.

Healthcare quality rank
A state’s ranking based on healthcare setting quality taken from USA News 2021 Healthcare rankings.

Public health rank
A state’s ranking based on health behaviors is taken from USA News 2021 Healthcare rankings.

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