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In 2025, single seniors across the country are not only looking for the perfect place to retire but also a place to find their perfect match. After all, companionship doesn’t end in your later years.
When thinking about where to settle, seniors should weigh factors like the local dating scene, affordability, healthcare quality, recreational opportunities, and safety. Every state has its own unique pros and cons that can influence the decision to move.
Key Insights
Roughly 36% of U.S. seniors (aged 65 and older) are single, a higher percentage than any other age category aside from those 18 to 29.
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Ranked as the best state for senior singles, California offers the highest percentage of senior households with broadband internet (90%), a game-changer for seniors looking to stay connected and explore online dating options.
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Maine has the largest share of seniors as a percentage of its population (23%), making it an ideal location for those who need specialized services and communities designed for older adults.
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While Florida ranks third for senior singles, it also has one of the highest ranks of senior fraud, posing significant risks for senior singles looking to move.
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Luckily, our team at Retirement Living analyzed the most recent data from the U.S. Census, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with key statistics on the percentage of singles by age, to determine the best states for single seniors (aged 65+). Read our full methodology below and discover which states ranked as the best, and why.
Top 10 States for Single Seniors
Today, 36% of seniors are single — a higher percentage than any other age group above 29 years old — and this share is projected to increase by 47% by 2050. It’s no wonder seniors are looking for the best place to meet their soulmate. Finding love can be challenging at any age, but in your golden years, you’ll want every advantage.1,2
From exceptional internet access for online dating to states with a large senior population, we’ve compiled the top 10 states for single seniors. Read on to discover which state is right for you based on your personal dating preferences.
1. California
Offering the largest dating market and excellent internet access, California earned its place as the best state for single seniors. Around 2.81 million older adults in the Golden State are single, and at least 90% have internet access, making it easy for older adults to connect online. California also has over 2,000 healthcare practitioners per 100,000 senior residents, ensuring top-notch care.
However, all of these benefits come with a cost, as California is the least affordable state for single seniors. The median cost of a one-bedroom apartment is $1,742 per month, but many find it worth it for the 10th longest life expectancy and proximity to other seniors.
2. New York
The Empire State ranks as the second best state for single seniors, with the fourth largest population of single seniors, approximately 1.74 million, and the ninth best health ranking. New York also has the fourth best life expectancy in the U.S., with many seniors living comfortably to 79. As a bustling East Coast hub, New York also offers 1,416 restaurants per 100,000 people, the fourth highest density in the nation.
Similarly to California, the state’s primary downside lies in affordability. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,456, slightly better than the Golden State but still in the top 10 least affordable options.
3. Florida
Florida secures its No. 3 spot primarily by having the second largest single senior population in the country, roughly 2.1 million people, and the third highest percentage of residents aged 65 or older, at 21.7%. The state’s warm weather has attracted seniors for decades, but would-be movers will have access to dating options both indoors and outdoors. This is because 89.4% of Florida seniors have access to the internet, the seventh highest ranking in the nation.
Unfortunately, the primary issue holding Florida back is the prevalence of fraud. The state ranks second worst for identity theft, with 438 instances reported per 100,000 people. Affordability can also be an issue, as the median rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,506.
4. Maine
If you’re looking to meet your soulmate in a quiet corner away from all the hustle and bustle, Maine might be the perfect location. This state has the highest percentage of seniors aged 65 and older, at 22.9%, making it easy to meet others. Safety and recreation are the primary benefits of this location, as it ranks 11th lowest for identity theft reports and offers the fourth highest number of parks, over four per 100,000 residents.
5. Vermont
Vermont has the second highest percentage of seniors in the nation, at 22.2%, second only to Maine. Seniors in this state can feel safe while exploring the dating scene, as Vermont ranks second for the lowest number of identity theft incidents, with only 97 reports per 100,000 people. Vermont also ranks ninth for life expectancy, with many seniors living comfortably to 78.
6. Montana
If affordability and safety are your priorities as a single senior, Montana is one of the best options. It’s the most affordable state in our top 10, with the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment at just $822 per month. The state also ranks eighth lowest for fraud reports, providing additional peace of mind. These benefits are further enhanced by access to recreational opportunities, as Montana has the third highest number of parks, with 4.3 per 100,000 residents.
7. Alaska
For single seniors looking for gorgeous hikes and hardworking lumberjacks in their golden years, look no further than The Last Frontier. Alaska earned its spot by ranking first for recreation, offering nearly 10 parks and 1,650 restaurants per 100,000 people. The low population also makes it easy to access healthcare, as the state offers over 2,750 practitioners per 100,000 seniors.
8. Idaho
Idaho earned its No. 8 spot on our list through a combination of safety and access to healthcare. It offers the eight highest density of healthcare practitioners (over 1,850 per 100,000 seniors) and the ninth fewest instances of identity theft (only 123 reports per 100,000 residents). Despite its rural landscape, a considerable 88.8% of seniors also have access to the Internet.
9. Wisconsin
Home to nearly half a million single seniors (459,339), Wisconsin ranks as the ninth best state for older adults searching for love. It’s the second most affordable state in our top 10, with the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment at just $886 per month. This state also earned high marks for safety, having the 12th fewest instances of fraud, only 785 reports per 100k people.
10. Hawaii
While affordability prevented Hawaii from earning a higher score, exceptional safety, life expectancy, and internet access allowed it to secure the final spot. Over 21% of the population are seniors, and they enjoy the highest life expectancy in the nation, at 79.9 years old. 89.9% of the population also has internet access, the fifth highest percentage in the country.
See Where Your State Ranks
The table below ranks each of the 50 states for single senior appeal based on five key categories: share of seniors, affordability, healthcare, recreational opportunities, and fraud. While our analysis weighted each category equally, we encourage you to consider your own approach to dating and romance while you use this data to start your soulmate search.
Methodology
To help readers find the best states for single seniors, we used multiple data points to evaluate each state. Metrics were weighted to reflect the importance of each data point to the decision-making process.
Data regarding population, median rent, number of healthcare facilities, number of parks, number of restaurants, and internet access were all sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Life expectancy numbers are from the CDC, and fraud reports were gathered from the FTC.
The data points and their corresponding percent weighting are as follows:
- Senior Singles: 40%
- Senior Health & Longevity: 20%
- Affordability: 15%
- Recreational Opportunities: 15%
- Senior Fraud: 10%
Reference Policy
We love it when people share our findings! If you do, please link back to our original article to credit our research.
Article Sources
1Brown, A. “A profile of single Americans.” Pew Research Center. Evaluated Feb. 3, 2025.
2“Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States.” Population Reference Bureau. Evaluated Feb. 3, 2025.
3“The Older Population in the United States: 2023.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Feb. 4, 2025.
4“Median Gross Rent by Bedrooms.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Feb. 4, 2025.
5“Age by Presence of a Computer and Types of Internet Subscription in Household.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Feb. 4, 2025.