Decoding Retirement Longevity
We crunched the numbers to see how long your $500,000 in savings might last, depending on your location. Using World Population Review’s cost-of-living index, Kiplinger’s Social Security data, and the national average household spend of $61,334, we figured out your real timeline.
50. West Virginia
Stretching retirement dollars in West Virginia sounds easier than it really is. The cost-of-living index stands at 84.1, and the average Social Security check is approximately $1,898 per month. Even with those numbers, your $500,000 savings only carry you roughly 17.4 years.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), Wikimedia Commons
49. Kansas
Kansas may appear affordable on the surface, but the math still catches up. With a cost-of-living index of 87.0 and monthly benefits of $2,055, savings survive around 17.4 years. It’s steady, predictable, and long enough to matter—but it won’t last forever.
Americasroof, Wikimedia Commons
48. Oklahoma
The state’s cost-of-living index is 85.7, and retirees typically receive $1,922 per month from Social Security. Combined, that means $500,000 lasts only about 16.9 years—showing that affordability doesn’t always guarantee lasting security when expenses and income meet head-on.
Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons
47. Michigan
Retirement math in Michigan paints a mixed picture. The cost-of-living index sits at 90.4, and the monthly Social Security average is $2,066. That combination supports savings for about 16.3 years before the account runs thin. Not short, not endless, just somewhere in between.
46. Alabama
Alabama lands lower than expected for many. A cost-of-living index of 88.0 meets monthly Social Security checks of $1,920. The result is about 16.2 years of cushion from $500,000 in savings. It’s affordable compared to much of the country, yet still surprisingly finite.
45. Indiana
Retirement math in Indiana balances affordability with limited time. The cost-of-living index comes in at 90.5, and Social Security averages $2,034 per month. Altogether, $500,000 carries someone for around 16.1 years.
44. Iowa
Iowa’s COL index is 89.7, and the average Social Security check is about $1,992. That combination supports a retiree for roughly 16.1 years. Farm country offers steady living but not endless longevity.
43. Missouri
Retiring in Missouri means balancing a COL index of 88.7 with Social Security checks of $1,937 each month. The gap between expenses and income eats through $500,000 in about 16 years. It’s manageable for a while, but not endlessly so.
Brian Hillegas, Wikimedia Commons
42. Mississippi
A low cost of living doesn’t guarantee infinite time. Mississippi carries an index of 87.9, paired with an average monthly Social Security of $1,814. Despite ranking as the least expensive state overall, savings cover only 15.6 years before they’re gone.
Fredlyfish4, Wikimedia Commons
41. Tennessee
The lack of state income tax helps, but it doesn’t erase expenses. Tennessee shows a COL index of 90.5 and monthly benefits of $1,958. That mix stretches savings for only 15.6 years.
GatewayPolitics, Wikimedia Commons
40. Arkansas
Looking at Arkansas, the numbers only stretch so far. The state’s cost-of-living index is 88.7, while Social Security checks come to about $1,852 monthly. Together, $500,000 in savings will last for roughly 15.5 years.
39. Georgia
Mild winters and friendly prices still have limits. Georgia posts a COL index of 91.3, paired with Social Security checks of about $1,924 monthly. Those figures stretch a half-million in savings for just 15.2 years.
38. Nebraska
A state known for stability delivers numbers that aren’t infinite. Nebraska’s COL index is 93.1, and retirees collect roughly $2,011 per month. Put that together, and $500,000 supports about 15.2 years of retirement living.
37. Minnesota
Heating bills bite into retirement here. Minnesota’s COL index is 95.1, while monthly Social Security benefits average $2,095. Combined, they allow $500,000 to cover about 15.1 years—steady, but not lasting a lifetime.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant, Wikimedia Commons
36. North Dakota
Winters cut deep here, but so do the numbers. With a COL index of 91.9 and benefits averaging $1,929 each month, savings carry a retiree for close to 15 years before the nest egg empties.
Unimatic1140, Wikimedia Commons
35. South Dakota
On the plains, affordability feels within reach but doesn’t go on forever. South Dakota records a COL index of 92.2, while retirees see about $1,919 monthly in Social Security. The $500,000 pool runs for about 14.9 years.
WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons
34. Texas
The absence of state income tax is attractive, yet the numbers still cut off. Texas holds a COL index of 92.7, and benefits average $1,932 a month. In practice, savings last only about 14.9 years.
Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons
33. Pennsylvania
Rather than an endless runway, Pennsylvania delivers a middle ground. The COL index is 95.1, with Social Security checks averaging $2,052 a month. The nest egg of $500,000 supports a retirement of about 14.8 years before the money’s gone.
32. Illinois
City life in Chicago may raise the tab, but even statewide, the numbers are tight. Illinois carries a COL index of 94.4 and an average Social Security benefit of $2,005. Together, they make savings last about 14.8 years.
Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia Commons
31. Wyoming
Rural charm makes Wyoming attractive, but retirement still has a ceiling here. The COL index sits at 95.5, and Social Security checks average about $2,024 a month. Together, that lets $500,000 stretch to 14.6 years, better than many states but still finite.
Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons
30. Louisiana
Daily life may seem more affordable in Louisiana, yet retirement math tells a different story. With a COL index of 92.2 and monthly benefits of $1,818, savings survive for only 14.4 years. It’s enough for comfort, but the clock ticks faster here.
Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia Commons
29. Ohio
Affordability is a key aspect of Ohio’s reputation, although it doesn’t necessarily translate into endless support. The COL index in Ohio is 94.2, and the average Social Security check is $1,923 per month. That combination covers about 14.4 years of retirement on $500,000.
28. Kentucky
Not every state with a Southern drawl gives retirees decades of cushion. Kentucky’s cost-of-living index hits 93.0, and Social Security averages $1,866 a month. When all the math is done, $500,000 only lasts around 14.4 years.
Christopher L. Riley, Wikimedia Commons
27. South Carolina
Coastal charm doesn’t erase the bottom line. South Carolina posts a cost-of-living index of 95.9, paired with Social Security checks averaging $1,996 each month. The result: savings hold out about 14.3 years before running short.
26. New Mexico
Southwestern charm comes with a finite runway, as this state’s COL index of 93.3 allows retirees to reach approximately 14.3 years with half a million dollars in savings. Here, retirees receive $1,865 monthly from Social Security.
25. Wisconsin
Cold winters don’t break the budget, but they don’t make it infinite either. Wisconsin’s index stands at 97.0, and retirees receive approximately $2,028 per month. That balance allows $500,000 to last for nearly 14 years and 2.4 months.
24. Montana
Big landscapes come with a modest time frame. Montana shows a COL index of 94.9, alongside Social Security benefits of $1,887 monthly. Retirees with $500,000 in savings can expect to spend about 14.1 years before it’s depleted.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
23. Delaware
Tiny in size, Delaware doesn’t deliver long-term staying power. With a COL index of 100.8 and average Social Security checks of $2,171, a retiree burns through half a million in roughly 14 years.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
22. North Carolina
Retirees in North Carolina face a similar outcome. The state’s COL index comes in at 97.8, while Social Security averages $1,980 per month. Those figures stretch $500,000 over around 13.8 years, no more and no less.
21. Virginia
Close to the nation’s capital, expenses pile up quickly in Virginia. The COL index is 100.7, and the state averages $2,064 in monthly Social Security benefits. Put together, $500,000 holds out for around 13.6 years.
Ron Cogswell, Wikimedia Commons
20. Colorado
Colorado has a cost-of-living index of 102.0, and Social Security benefits average $2,037 per month. That pairing drains $500,000 after about 13.1 years. Mountain living looks appealing until the numbers show their limit.
19. Idaho
Affordability has its boundaries in the Gem State, with a cost-of-living index of 102.0, and retirees typically collect around $1,951 per month. The balance works out to 12.8 years before the savings pool runs dry.
Jyoni Shuler, Wikimedia Commons
18. Florida
The Sunshine State attracts retirees in droves, but savings don’t stretch forever. With a cost-of-living index of 102.8 and Social Security averaging $1,962 per month, $500,000 carries someone for about 12.7 years.
Jim Dietrich aka EaglesFanInTampa, Wikimedia Commons
17. Nevada
Low taxes don’t erase living costs in Nevada. The state’s cost-of-living index stands at 101.3, while monthly Social Security averages $1,906. Combined, a retiree’s $500,000 stretches for about 12.7 years.
Vidor at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
16. Utah
Utah blends mountain scenery with higher-than-expected costs. With a cost-of-living index of 104.9 and Social Security benefits averaging $2,065 monthly, a $500,000 nest egg supports just 12.6 years of retirement. That mix puts Utah in the middle range.
Spinnensoep, Wikimedia Commons
15. Connecticut
Even generous benefits can’t offset costs. Connecticut’s retirees collect about $2,196 monthly, yet with a COL index of 112.3, savings run out in only 11.8 years. High expenses in this corner of New England weigh heavily on longevity.
14. New Hampshire
No sales tax helps, but not enough. New Hampshire’s cost-of-living index is 112.6, while Social Security averages $2,184 a month. A retiree with $500,000 in savings sees them last only about 11.7 years.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
13. New Jersey
High taxes and pricey suburbs weigh heavily on retirees in New Jersey, which has a cost-of-living index of 114.6, and average Social Security benefits come in at $2,190 a month. Together, $500,000 in savings lasts only about 11.4 years before the money runs out.
David Merrett, Wikimedia Commons
12. Rhode Island
The smallest state also shrinks retirement timelines. Rhode Island posts a COL index of 112.2, with average monthly benefits of $2,050. This mix eats through $500,000 in about 11.3 years.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
11. Arizona
Retirement in Arizona comes with sunshine, but it also comes with limited longevity. A cost-of-living index of 111.5 pairs with $2,020 in average monthly Social Security. Add $500,000 in savings, and the cushion lasts about 11.3 years.
10. Oregon
Life in Oregon isn’t cheap, even with no sales tax. A COL index of 112.0 combines with average monthly Social Security benefits of $1,990. That leaves retirees with only 11.2 years of runway on $500,000.
9. Washington
Despite the absence of a state income tax, Washington still chews through savings quickly. The average monthly Social Security benefits are $2,099. And the cost-of-living index here is 114.2. The result is a nest egg that lasts just 11.1 years.
8. Maryland
The close proximity to DC makes Maryland a pricey location. With a COL index of 115.3 and Social Security benefits of about $2,140, a retiree burns through $500,000 in just 11.1 years, showing how urban costs erase money quickly.
7. Vermont
Healthcare and utilities weigh heavily in Vermont. The state’s COL index is 114.4, and retirees receive around $2,040 a month. The math shrinks $500,000 to just 10.9 years, one of the shortest spans in New England.
AlexiusHoratius, Wikimedia Commons
6. Maine
Maine’s COL index hits 112.1, and retirees receive about $1,889 monthly. That balance carries savings for roughly 10.8 years before they’re gone. Why, you ask? Cold winters and higher utility bills.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
5. New York
New York’s cost-of-living index of 123.3 makes it one of the toughest places to stretch retirement dollars. Social Security checks averaging $2,018 a month can’t keep up, and $500,000 drains in just 9.7 years.
ChrisRuvolo, Wikimedia Commons
4. Alaska
Living in Alaska means paying a high price for isolation. The cost-of-living index soars to 123.8, while Social Security benefits average only $1,907 a month. With expenses so high, $500,000 in savings disappears after just 9.4 years—a short timeline in the land of the midnight sun.
3. Massachusetts
Massachusetts reports a COL index of 145.9, and retirees receive about $2,084 monthly in Social Security. Even with higher benefits, $500,000 savings last only 7.8 years. The Bay State’s charm comes with one of the nation’s steepest retirement price tags.
Nelson48 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
2. California
Golden State living drains golden years fast. California posts a staggering cost-of-living index of 144.8, and Social Security checks average $1,935 monthly. Put together, even a half-million evaporates in only 7.6 years.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
1. Hawaii
The hardest state for retirement savings is Hawaii. With the nation’s highest COL index at 186.9 and Social Security averaging $1,981 monthly, half a million is gone in only 5.5 years. Paradise comes with the steepest price tag of all.
Daniel Ramirez, Wikimedia Commons
