The best and worst states for retirement

Three out of five Americans say they want to spend their golden years someplace other than where they're living now, according to a new survey. But they may think twice about taking the traditional route to sunny states such as Florida or California. 

Neither of those even make the top 25 in a new ranking of the best states to retire to by Bankrate. The survey, released Monday, considered weather, cost of living, crime rate, health-care quality, overall tax burden and community well-being. 

Here are the 10 best—and the 10 worst—states for retirement, according to Bankrate. And check out CNBC's Sharon Epperson's latest video on the findings. 

—By Fred Imbert.

Posted 23 March 2015

Bankrate named Arkansas the worst state for people to retire in, despite its mild climate and low cost of living, because it ranks in the bottom fifth in crime and health-care quality. It also scored low on community well-being, which is based on Gallup surveys of the public about their happiness and general satisfaction with their surroundings.

Read MoreIt's not just about Florida and sunshine

New York has the highest state and local tax burden in the U.S., as well as the third-highest cost of living. The state also ranked in the bottom 10 in terms of community well-being, according to Bankrate.

Even though Alaska is the only state without an income or state sales tax, The Last Frontier received bad marks for having bad weather and a high crime rate, which Bankrate measured by looking at the FBI's violent and property crime statistics.

West Virginia, don't take me home. Bankrate scored the state dead last in community well-being and health-care quality.

Several factors placed Louisiana among the worst states for people to retire, including a high crime rate and poor health-care quality, according to Bankrate.

Retirees in New Jersey have to deal with the fifth-highest cost of living in the U.S. along with the second-highest tax burden. That landed New Jersey on Bankrate's list of the 10 worst states for retirement. (And the weather's not great, either.)

Who doesn't dream of a Hawaiian retirement? But it's going to cost you. Hawaii boasts the highest cost of living in the U.S., according to Bankrate.

Life in Kentucky might be cheaper and safer than in most states, but Bankrate ranked the state next-to-last in community well-being and near the bottom in health-care quality.

Ranking just outside the bottom fifth in terms of crime rate, community well-being, health-care quality and weather, Missouri's only bright spot for retirees is its low cost of living, Bankrate found.

Oregon has one of the highest costs of living in the country. Bankrate's study also found state had the 15th-highest state and local tax burden in the country.

The Cornhusker State has the ninth-lowest costs of living in the U.S. and ranked highly in health-care quality. "Seniors really love it here," said Chris Khan, research and statistics analyst at Bankrate. 

Arizona ranked fifth-best in terms of weather and second best in terms of community well-being. "It is brutally hot in the summer, but the rest of the year is beautiful," said Khan.

"Yes, it's very cold, but you'll find the third-lowest tax rate in the U.S.," said Khan. The state also has the 11th lowest crime rate among the 50 states.

Strong community well-being stats make Montana an appealing retirement option, according to Bankrate.

High-quality health care and high levels of community well-being propelled the Hawkeye State into the top 10.

"Virginia is one of those states that really hit the sweet spot," said Khan. The state has the fourth-lowest crime rate and ranked 15th best in community well-being, 13th best in health-care quality and 10th in weather.

Idaho's appeal for retirees stems from its nature beauty and low crime rate, which ranked second-lowest in the U.S. behind Vermont's.

Beautiful scenery, high-quality health care and low cost of living helped Utah rank so high on Bankrate's list.

Colorado's high marks in health-care quality, weather and community well-being earned it the second spot on best states for retirement, according to Bankrate.

Wyoming took top honors in part because of its 6.9 percent state and local tax burden, the lowest in the country. The western state also boasts spectacular scenery—it's home to both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park—as well as low crime rates.