Summary of Best States for Solo Living
Independent living is increasingly becoming more popular in the U.S., with 37 million Americans aged 18 and older living in one-person households in 2021, up from 33 million a decade before, according to Census Bureau statistics. Consequently, health experts at NiceRx analyzed data to determine the best states for solo living in America.
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1. Idaho
Topping the list is Idaho, which earned high rankings for safety and an abundance of group activities.
2. Nebraska
Not far behind is Nebraska, which ranks as one of the most affordable states with an average monthly rent of $833.
3. Louisiana
In third place is Louisiana, known for a high percentage of single-person homes, low cost of living, and a wealth of activity groups.
4. Wisconsin
5. Indiana
6. Tie: Alaska, North Carolina, and Tennessee
9. Tie: Illinois and New Mexico
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Cost Factors
The study identified several cost factors for those living solo. Kentucky emerged with the lowest rent at an average of $763 a month, while Hawaii had the highest at $1,617. New Mexico also had the lowest average health insurance cost at $6,088 a year. Moreover, it also held the lowest cost of living while Utah was ranked as the safest state for solo living. Colorado leads in group activities, while Alaska has the most hospitals and Florida the most health centers. As a result, New Mexico currently has the highest percentage of solo households, making up 31.3% of its population, in contrast to Utah, which has only 19.2% of its population living alone.
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Elderly Solo Living
NiceRx also examined elderly solo living, considering factors such as the number of assisted living facilities and the amount of pension needed for a comfortable lifestyle. Utah ranked highest for this demographic, followed by Idaho, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Colorado, and New Jersey. In addition, there was a three-way tie for eighth place among Illinois, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. To deepen your understanding of the best states for living alone, further details can be found in the full solo living index.
