FIRE by US State — 2026 Complete Guide
Tax, cost of living, and FIRE number data for all 50 US states. Find the best state to retire early in.
Quick Facts
There are 9 US states with no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. These states offer the strongest tax advantage for FIRE retirees, though they vary widely in cost of living, climate, and quality of life. New Hampshire taxes only interest and dividends (not wages) as of 2025.
The cheapest US states for FIRE — measured by cost-of-living index, median home price, and combined tax burden — are typically Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Alabama. The most expensive are Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut.
All 50 States
Sorted alphabetically. Click any state for a full FIRE breakdown including tax stack, cost of living, FIRE number estimates by city, and state-specific tax strategies.
Choosing a State for FIRE
The three biggest state-level variables for FIRE planning are:
- State income tax — A no-income-tax state can save a $200K earner $10-15K/year vs. California or New York. Over a 30-year career at 7% real returns, that's $1M+ in additional portfolio growth.
- Cost of living — The difference between Mississippi and Hawaii is roughly 2x on a like-for-like FIRE number. Geographic arbitrage in a low-COL state can compress your timeline by 5-10 years.
- Property tax — High property tax (Texas, New Jersey, Illinois) can offset income tax savings for homeowners. For renters, this matters less.
Don't optimize on tax alone. Climate, healthcare access, family ties, and lifestyle fit matter equally for a 30+ year retirement. Use the FIRE Number Calculator with your specific expenses to model different state scenarios.