Tennessee doesn't appear to tax retirement income and I've heard property taxes are quite a bit lower. Even though Illinois doesn't tax retirement income, we still get dinged with high property, sales, and gas taxes.
I hear ya there. I think I heard that Iowa and South Dakota don't tax retirement of SS income, but the winters are of course more btutal in those states. When I retired in 2023 I thought about trying to relocate to SD but when I saw the prices of housing I gave up on that dream. Iowa I hear is better but only if you stay away from the big cities.
So I dunno. I'm still paying below what everyone else is, for the time being, but the hardwriting is on the wall and I know my rental costs are going to increase dramatrically next year.
So would I want to live in a state where my income is not taxed, you betcha, but would the cost of living be any different, I doubt it.