With its low cost of living, solid economy, wide-open spaces, sporting options and laid-back lifestyle, Kansas can offer a compelling proposition for retirees.

For one, retiring in Kansas is easy on the pocketbook, says Jim Hanna, an Ameriprise financial adviser based in Topeka, the state capitol. The median home costs just over $111,000, significantly below the U.S. average, the cost of living is more than 12% below average, and assisted living and nursing home costs are lower than average.