Side-by-side for American retirees in 2026.
Underrated mid-Atlantic option. No sales tax, low property tax, and a meaningful pension exclusion. Coastal beach towns are surprisingly affordable.
Western alternative to Florida. No income tax, dry desert climate, and Las Vegas/Henderson/Reno offer tax-free retirement with strong healthcare.
| Progressive, top 6.6% | Income tax | No state income tax |
| Exempt | Social Security | Exempt |
| $12,500 pension exclusion at 60+ ($25K per couple) | Pension treatment | All retirement income state-tax-free |
| 0.61% | Property tax (effective) | 0.59% |
| 0.00% | Avg combined sales tax | 8.24% |
| 102.7 | Cost of living (US=100) | 101.3 |
| None | Estate / inheritance tax | None |
| Four mild seasons. Coastal moderation keeps winters mild and summers tolerable. | Climate | Dry desert. Hot summers (100°F+ in Las Vegas), mild winters. Reno cooler with four seasons. |
| Solid — ChristianaCare (Wilmington area), proximity to Penn Medicine and Johns Hopkins. | Healthcare | Improving but historically weak — limited specialist availability vs Florida/Arizona. Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic do not have presence. |
| Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington | Top retirement cities | Henderson, Reno, Mesquite |
Senior school property tax credit up to $500 for 65+; some county-level senior tax relief
3% annual property tax cap on primary residences; senior tax assistance programs available
Delaware: Underrated mid-Atlantic option. No sales tax, low property tax, and a meaningful pension exclusion. Coastal beach towns are surprisingly affordable. Nevada: Western alternative to Florida. No income tax, dry desert climate, and Las Vegas/Henderson/Reno offer tax-free retirement with strong healthcare. The right choice depends on your income mix, climate preference, and whether state income tax matters more to you than property tax.
No, Delaware does not tax Social Security retirement benefits.
No, Nevada does not tax Social Security retirement benefits.
Delaware's cost of living index is 102.7 (US = 100). Nevada's is 101.3. Nevada is cheaper on average.
Enter your retirement income and see the after-tax difference between Delaware and Nevada in 30 seconds.
Open tax estimator →Tax data current as of 2026 publication. Rates and rules change annually — verify with a CPA before relocating. This page is educational and not personalized tax or legal advice.