Virginia ranks as the most accommodating U.S. state for seniors according to a SeniorAdvice.com report.  Neighboring states Maryland and West Virginia rank sixth and tenth, respectively.  No other mid-Atlantic states made the top ten list.  The SeniorScore livability index is calculated based on over 100 variables measuring health and safety; recreation and leisure, finances; and general quality of life.

The SeniorScore uses data from numerous sources including Medicare, the U.S. Census Bureau, and other various government and private databases. The categories used in the rankings include:

• Health and Safety– This score shows how well an area provides for the unique health needs of seniors. It primarily determines the level of access to senior healthcare facilities, physicians specializing in the needs of older people, and overall access to and quality of emergency services.
• Recreation and Leisure– This category describes the social and recreational atmosphere of a location as it relates to amenities and activities generally valued by seniors
• Finances– This number gives insight into the overall economic and financial favorability of an area. It incorporates general statistics like sales and income tax rates, home affordability and property taxes, income levels, and general costs of living. It also considers items of specific interest to seniors including costs of various types of senior living and in-home care as well as other financial burdens unique to older people.
• General Quality of Life– This score is based on a variety of measures that involve the general comfort and livability of an area. It includes data on how ideal the weather in an area is, how densely an area is populated, and how clean the environment is.

Top Ten States Ranked by SeniorScore:

1. Virginia
2. Hawaii
3. Nebraska
4. Oklahoma
5. Kansas
6. Maryland
7. Florida
8. Texas
9. Arizona
10. West Virginia