The Tax Foundation decided to have a look at the relative value of $100 in each state — and the District of Columbia, of course — to see just how far the money would go. It's not just taxes that affect the value of a buck, of course; some items cost considerably more in some states than in others, and sometimes — but not always — those states offer higher salaries to compensate for their higher cost of living.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reviews the relative value of items across the country, determining what it calls "regional price parity" for "a wide array of items from the CPI [Consumer Price Index], which are aggregated into broader expenditure categories (such as food, transportation or education)." BEA also took figures on rents from the Census Bureau.

The Tax Foundation took that data from BEA and distilled it into a rating for each state on how much buying power $100 has in each one.

Here are the 10 best states, according to the Tax Foundation's calculations: 

No singing the blues anymore in Memphis, or anywhere in Tennessee, as you'll find you can get your money's worth anywhere in the state. (Photo: iStock)

10. Tennessee

$100 will do pretty well in Elvis's home state. In fact, it's actually worth $110.86.

Don't spend it all at Graceland, though. Save some for Memphis barbecue. 

Whether you're in urban Norman or the middle of rangeland, money stretches far in Oklahoma. (Photo: iStock)

9. Oklahoma

The wind may come sweeping down the plain in Oklahoma, so hold onto your dollars when it does — $100 here is worth $110.99 and will buy you more waving wheat here than in other parts of the country. 

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, appears like a manmade rainbow in the sky, and the pot of gold that awaits is the buying power of your $100 in this state. (Photo: iStock)

8. Missouri

If you say "Show me the money" in Missouri, that $100 will look a whole lot more like $111.86 — a really good thing when you're trying to stretch retirement income. 

The beacon of Ohio's Marblehead Lighthouse continues to shine, as does the state, at least in the area of giving you more for your money. (Photo: iStock)

7. Ohio

Spending $100 in Ohio will actually feel more like spending $111.98, which is what you would be spending according to the national average for whatever it is you've got in that grocery bag. 

Although West Virginia has been hit hard economically, $100 still goes farther in this state than many others. (AP Photo)

6. West Virginia

West Virginia may border on Virginia, but you'll do a whole lot better here than in its more expensive neighbor. $100 in West Virginia will buy you $112.49 worth of stuff, while in Virginia (which finished in 40^th place) it will only get you $97.47 worth — not even par for the dollar.

Although your $100 bill will buy more here than elsewhere, that gorgeous horse farm costs a bit more. (Photo: iStock)

5. Kentucky

If you don't fritter it away on mint juleps and horses at the Derby, your $100 in Kentucky will buy you $112.74 worth of whatever it is that tickles your fancy — or keeps your ponies fed. 

In South Dakota, dead presidents go further, whether immortalized in currency or in stone. (Photo: iStock)

4. South Dakota

If you retire in South Dakota, that $100 will act like $113.64 instead — meaning that you might have enough left after grocery shopping to visit Mount Rushmore. 

Whether you're hanging out in a Huntsville park or fishing on the Gulf Coast, $100 gets you more than it does in many other states. (Photo: Getty)

3. Alabama

Spending your $100 here will bring you $113.90 worth of goods — meaning you can probably buy a nice camellia centerpiece for the table at your next dinner party. 

The beauty is free in Arkansas — witness the gorgeous Ozarks lakes — and you'll get more for your money as well. (Photo: Getty)

2. Arkansas

In Arkansas, your $100 budget will stretch pretty far, and you'll get $114.39 in merchandise. Not a bad return in the Natural State. 

Evening on the Gulf Coast near Biloxi offers a tranquil scene — and a certain sense of satisfaction as you see how far $100 will stretch in this state. (Photo: Getty)

1. Mississippi

Mississippi takes the top spot for making $100 go the farthest. Here you'll get $115.34 worth of whatever it is you're buying, which will make your retirement dollars stretch the farthest.