Dreaming of a Middle-Class Retirement in the South? Here’s What You Need To Save

It’s a win-win for the middle class to consider retiring in the South. These states offer great weather, plenty of recreational activities and a relatively low cost of living for your retirement years. Even a modest savings goes a long way in funding 20 years of retirement. 

According to a recent GOBankingRates study, those retiring without Social Security benefits in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia need anywhere from $270,000 to $338,000 saved up for a comfortable 20-year retirement lifestyle. 

See how much members of the middle-class need in savings to retire with and without Social Security benefits in the South.

• Middle-class income range: $41,351 to $124,054
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $364,868
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $827,027

• Middle-class income range: $39,182 to $117,546
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $321,482
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $783,640

• Middle-class income range: $47,807 to $143,422
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $493,988
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $956,147

• Middle-class income range: $49,776 to $149,328
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $533,362
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $995,520

• Middle-class income range: $41,611 to $124,834
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $370,068
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $832,227

• Middle-class income range: $40,015 to $120,046
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $338,148
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $800,307

• Middle-class income range: $36,610 to $109,830
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $270,042
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $732,200

• Middle-class income range: $46,603 to $139,808
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $469,895
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $932,053

• Middle-class income range: $42,402 to $127,206
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $385,882
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $848,040

• Middle-class income range: $44,545 to $133,636
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $428,748
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $890,907

• Middle-class income range: $44,731 to $134,194
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $432,468
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $894,627

• Middle-class income range: $50,861 to $152,584
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $555,068
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,017,227

• Middle-class income range: $60,649 to $181,948
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $750,828
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,212,987

• Middle-class income range: $38,611 to $115,834
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $310,068
• Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $772,227

View more original studies and surveys at the GOBankingRates original research center.

Methodology: Data was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index, Federal Reserve Economic Research. Middle-class income is defined by Pew Research Center as two-thirds to double the national median income. The minimum income needed to be middle class was calculated and the savings needed to retire was calculated. The average income for one person was sourced from the Social Security Administration for December 2024, and the retirement savings needed after Social Security benefits was calculated. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Jan. 24, 2025.