{"id":548735,"date":"2026-07-19T08:33:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T08:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/548735\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T08:33:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T08:33:30","slug":"what-the-cost-of-living-looks-like-post-retirement-in-every-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/548735\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Cost of Living Looks Like Post-Retirement in Every State"},"content":{"rendered":"

The more money Americans can put toward their retirement savings<\/a>, the better. Key findings from a new MoneyLion study ranking the 50 U.S. states based on where retirees are most and least likely to outlive their retirement savings revealed these funds deplete too fast (to where you run out of money) in 23 states, or nearly half of the country. Data also indicates there are 10 states where life expectancy after age 65 ensures a six-figure leftover retirement cushion \u2013 and Hawaii is one of them.<\/p>\n

To find out what the cost of living after retirement looks like in every state, MoneyLion calculated the total cost of retirement (using each state\u2019s average mortgage<\/a> and expenditure costs) and sourced the average Social Security benefits amount for retired workers. Using the average life expectancy at 65 (sourced from the Center for Disease Control\u2019s 2025 National Vital Reports), we calculated the total cost for retirement through life expectancy in each state. The median net worth for ages 65+ was also sourced and is 95% higher than the national median net worth.<\/p>\n

Find Out:How Long $1M in Retirement Savings Will Last in Every State<\/a><\/p>\n

Read Next: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking<\/a><\/p>\n

As such, each state\u2019s median net worth was increased by 95% to calculate every state\u2019s estimated median net worth for ages 65+. The total retirement income was calculated using Social Security benefits and median net worth for ages 65+. To calculate the retirement cushion and rank states in order of most to least cushion leftover, we used the necessities cost for retirement from age 65 to total life expectancy and retirement income<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Key Findings<\/p>\n

Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington are the top three U.S. states with the highest leftover retirement cushions. Each state\u2019s life expectancy at 65 and their retirement cushions are as follows: Nebraska (18.9 years and $295,069), New Hampshire (19.1 years and $265,417) and Washington (19.1 years and $216,077). <\/p>\n

The top 10 ranking states have leftover retirement cushions of $100,000 or more. Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington aside, the rest of the list includes Maryland ($193,131), Minnesota ($178,894), Hawaii ($162,584), Colorado ($138,125), Iowa ($135,115), Pennsylvania ($131,410) and Illinois ($113,077).<\/p>\n

Retirees outlive their retirement savings by a whopping six figures in six states. Each state and its negative savings balance include Nevada (-$113,829), New Mexico (-$189,992), Alaska (-$192,137), Rhode Island (-$198,448), New York (-$340,712) and California (-$433,044).<\/p>\n

Which states have the highest and lowest life expectancy at 65? Hawaii boasts the most years (20.5) while West Virginia ranks last at 16.6. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what the cost of living<\/a> looks like after entering retirement in every U.S. state.<\/p>\n

1. Nebraska<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.9 years<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $718,290<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $456,049<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,013,359<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $295,069<\/p>\n

2. New Hampshire<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,039,685<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $500,532<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,305,102<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $265,417<\/p>\n

3. Washington<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,155,276<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $481,178<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,371,353<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $216,077<\/p>\n

4. Maryland<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $939,159<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $487,815<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,132,290<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $193,131<\/p>\n

5. Minnesota<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.6<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $842,916<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $492,775<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,021,810<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $178,894<\/p>\n

6. Hawaii<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 20.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,675,480<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $487,299<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,838,064<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $162,584<\/p>\n

7. Colorado<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.4<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,057,540<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $474,165<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,195,665<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $138,125<\/p>\n

8. Iowa<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $657,251<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $447,021<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $792,366<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $135,115<\/p>\n

9. Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $734,141<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $460,536<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $865,551<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $131,410<\/p>\n

10. Illinois<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $745,366<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $449,918<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $858,443<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $113,077<\/p>\n

11. Michigan<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.4<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $682,079<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $456,179<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $781,829<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $99,751<\/p>\n

12. Idaho<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.0<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $958,042<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $444,926<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,056,056<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $98,014<\/p>\n

13. Florida<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.4<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $856,176<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $456,656<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $954,101<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $97,925<\/p>\n

14. Maine<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $919,852<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $423,818<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,016,033<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $96,181<\/p>\n

15. Kansas<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $646,459<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $446,383<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $727,573<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $81,113<\/p>\n

16. West Virginia<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 16.6<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $523,612<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $378,092<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $602,342<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $78,729<\/p>\n

17. Ohio<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $647,489<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $410,734<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $711,814<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $64,325<\/p>\n

18. North Dakota<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $763,638<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $451,276<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $823,921<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $60,283<\/p>\n

19. Tennessee<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.2<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $685,195<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $404,133<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $739,533<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $54,338<\/p>\n

20. Indiana<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $654,668<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $432,009<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $707,544<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $52,876<\/p>\n

21. Wisconsin<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $799,102<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $464,726<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $831,326<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $32,224<\/p>\n

22. South Dakota<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.4<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $790,965<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $446,811<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $819,456<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $28,491<\/p>\n

23. Wyoming<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $803,045<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $449,226<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $821,871<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $18,826<\/p>\n

24. Utah<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.0<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,007,060<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $470,861<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,022,321<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $15,261<\/p>\n

25. Virginia<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $874,392<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $458,197<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $885,442<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $11,050<\/p>\n

26. Alabama<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $597,227<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $405,340<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $607,165<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: $9,937<\/p>\n

27. Mississippi<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 16.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $535,029<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $363,574<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $533,770<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$1,260<\/p>\n

28. Connecticut<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,018,830<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $521,805<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,015,350<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$3,480<\/p>\n

29. Georgia<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.9<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $742,656<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $413,368<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $739,018<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$3,638<\/p>\n

30. Texas<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.3<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $720,673<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $424,272<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $715,797<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -4,876<\/p>\n

31. North Carolina<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $768,343<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $430,058<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $762,338<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$6,005<\/p>\n

32. New Jersey<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.6<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,135,571<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $515,100<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,124,280<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$11,291<\/p>\n

33. Missouri<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $656,766<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $413,636<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $645,101<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$11,665<\/p>\n

34. Delaware<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $880,849<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $489,694<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $862,339<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$18,510<\/p>\n

35. Montana<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.1<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $956,911<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $432,489<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $935,784<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$21,127<\/p>\n

36. South Carolina<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.0<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $712,662<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $431,201<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $684,506<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$28,156<\/p>\n

37. Oklahoma<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 16.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $575,573<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $387,413<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $540,507<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$35,065<\/p>\n

38. Louisiana<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $583,371<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $381,864<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $548,063<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: – $35,308<\/p>\n

39. Arkansas<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.0<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $569,857<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $411,982<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $533,857<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$36,000<\/p>\n

40. Kentucky<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 16.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $584,222<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $376,137<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $535,842<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$48,380<\/p>\n

41. Arizona<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $887,517<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $430,217<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $828,602<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$58,915<\/p>\n

42. Massachusetts<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,329,761<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $492,733<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $1,262,788<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$66,973<\/p>\n

43. Vermont<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.5<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $934,115<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $477,276<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $849,921<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$84,194<\/p>\n

44. Oregon<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,026,322<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $448,885<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $934,240<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$92,082<\/p>\n

45. Nevada<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 17.9<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $862,030<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $409,486<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $748,201<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$113,829<\/p>\n

46. New Mexico<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $759,650<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $418,533<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $569,658<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$189,992<\/p>\n

47. Alaska<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 18.6<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $993,371<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $428,589<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $801,234<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$192,137<\/p>\n

48. Rhode Island<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.4<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,048,291<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $477,198<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $849,843<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$198,448<\/p>\n

49. New York<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.8<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,079,202<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $479,529<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $738,489<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: -$340,712<\/p>\n

50. California<\/p>\n

Life expectancy at 65: 19.7<\/p>\n

Necessities cost for retirement (age 65 to total life expectancy): $1,434,426<\/p>\n

Average total Social Security benefits for retired worker for total life expectancy: $457,472<\/p>\n

Retirement income: $991,382<\/p>\n

Retirement cushion: – $443,044<\/p>\n

Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed each U.S. state to find the places where retirees will outlive their savings. MoneyLion sourced data including total population, population ages 65 and up, total households, and median household income from the U.S. Census ACS. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Missouri Economic and Research Information Center and using the national average expenditure costs for retired households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs can be calculated for each state. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 20% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated for each state. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of retirement was calculated for each state. The average Social Security benefits for a retired worker in each state was sourced from the 2025 Annual Statistical Supplement from the Social Security Administration. The average life expectancy at 65 was sourced from the Center for Disease Control’s 2025 National Vital Reports. Using the life expectancy at 65, the total cost for retirement through life expectancy was calculated for each state. Using the U.S. Census’ SIPP data, the median net worth (including home equity) was sourced for each state and for selected characteristics. The median net worth for ages 65 and over is 95% higher than the national median net worth, so each state’s median net worth was increased by 95% to calculate the estimated median net worth for ages 65 and over in each state. Using the Social Security benefits along with the median net worth (including home equity) for ages 65 and over in each state, the total retirement income was calculated for each state. The total cost of retirement until life expectancy was counted as retirement expenses and using retirement expenses along with the retirement income, the retirement cushion was calculated for each U.S. state. All data is up to date as of July 8, 2026.<\/p>\n

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com<\/a> for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.<\/p>\n

More From MoneyLion:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The more money Americans can put toward their retirement savings, the better. Key findings from a new MoneyLion…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":228579,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[114,268,85,46,266,267],"class_list":["post-548735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-personal-finance","tag-business","tag-finance","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-personal-finance","tag-personalfinance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=548735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/228579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=548735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=548735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=548735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}