How Long $1 Million in Retirement Will Last in Every State

Determining the exact amount of money you need to save to retire comfortably is difficult — and reaching that goal may be even grueling.

The traditional standard for a comfortable retirement is around $1 million — although you can get by on less in some states and need much more in other states. This number is way out of reach for many Americans, though, considering 28% of people recently told GOBankingRates that they had nothing saved and most of the rest don’t have close to seven figures.

As big a chunk of change a $1 million sounds like, surprisingly it doesn’t last quite as long as you might think it would — but that all depends on the state you live in when you retire.

If you live in one of the more expensive states, like Hawaii or New York, you’ll want to work as long as possible and save as much money as possible because $1 million won’t even cover your living expenses for 15 years. There is a bit more cushion in many Midwestern and Southern states, though, if you live there or planning a move.

Find out how long $1 million in savings will last in your state — in order from shortest time to longest.

• Annual groceries cost: $6,463
• Annual housing cost: $37,135
• Annual utilities cost: $8,573
• Annual transportation cost: $6,168
• Annual healthcare cost: $9,607
• Total annual expenditures: $137,773

How long $1 million will last: 7.3 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,536
• Annual housing cost: $25,000
• Annual utilities cost: $6,053
• Annual transportation cost: $6,283
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,554
• Total annual expenditures: $101,718

How long $1 million will last: 9.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,174
• Annual housing cost: $26,210
• Annual utilities cost: $6,495
• Annual transportation cost: $5,067
• Annual healthcare cost: $9,972
• Total annual expenditures: $99,573

How long $1 million will last: 10 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,234
• Annual housing cost: $15,201
• Annual utilities cost: $4,010
• Annual transportation cost: $5,724
• Annual healthcare cost: $9,369
• Total annual expenditures: $83,426

How long $1 million will last: 12 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,164
• Annual housing cost: $16,399
• Annual utilities cost: $4,356
• Annual transportation cost: $4,886
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,528
• Total annual expenditures: $79,957

How long $1 million will last: 12.5 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,149
• Annual housing cost: $20,125
• Annual utilities cost: $4,317
• Annual transportation cost: $4,942
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,639
• Total annual expenditures: $76,515

How long $1 million will last: 13.1 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,263
• Annual housing cost: $15,968
• Annual utilities cost: $3,884
• Annual transportation cost: $5,488
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,703
• Total annual expenditures: $75,660

How long $1 million will last: 13.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,991
• Annual housing cost: $12,901
• Annual utilities cost: $3,867
• Annual transportation cost: $4,386
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,274
• Total annual expenditures: $74,621

How long $1 million will last: 13.4 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,842
• Annual housing cost: $13,991
• Annual utilities cost: $4,165
• Annual transportation cost: $5,002
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,013
• Total annual expenditures: $73,465

How long $1 million will last: 13.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,951
• Annual housing cost: $14,075
• Annual utilities cost: $4,867
• Annual transportation cost: $4,886
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,258
• Total annual expenditures: $73,355

How long $1 million will last: 13.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $6,299
• Annual housing cost: $14,135
• Annual utilities cost: $6,616
• Annual transportation cost: $5,289
• Annual healthcare cost: $11,900
• Total annual expenditures: $72,349

How long $1 million will last: 13.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,050
• Annual housing cost: $13,584
• Annual utilities cost: $6,062
• Annual transportation cost: $4,456
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,298
• Total annual expenditures: $72,220

How long $1 million will last: 13.9

• Annual groceries cost: $5,308
• Annual housing cost: $16,267
• Annual utilities cost: $4,776
• Annual transportation cost: $4,706
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,004
• Total annual expenditures: $70,645

How long $1 million will last: 14.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,085
• Annual housing cost: $14,039
• Annual utilities cost: $5,884
• Annual transportation cost: $4,849
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,718
• Total annual expenditures: $70,133

How long $1 million will last: 14.3 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,011
• Annual housing cost: $15,800
• Annual utilities cost: $4,559
• Annual transportation cost: $4,831
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,354
• Total annual expenditures: $69,352

How long $1 million will last: 14.4 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,115
• Annual housing cost: $12,901
• Annual utilities cost: $4,499
• Annual transportation cost: $5,506
• Annual healthcare cost: $6,910
• Total annual expenditures: $68,336

How long $1 million will last: 14.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,030
• Annual housing cost: $15,417
• Annual utilities cost: $4,806
• Annual transportation cost: $4,974
• Annual healthcare cost: $9,020
• Total annual expenditures: $67,770

How long $1 million will last: 14.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,263
• Annual housing cost: $15,537
• Annual utilities cost: $5,007
• Annual transportation cost: $4,433
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,837
• Total annual expenditures: $67,589

How long $1 million will last: 14.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,134
• Annual housing cost: $12,087
• Annual utilities cost: $3,373
• Annual transportation cost: $5,071
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,814
• Total annual expenditures: $66,598

How long $1 million will last: 15 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,020
• Annual housing cost: $10,362
• Annual utilities cost: $3,607
• Annual transportation cost: $5,076
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,433
• Total annual expenditures: $65,359

How long $1 million will last: 15.3 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,214
• Annual housing cost: $12,949
• Annual utilities cost: $4,412
• Annual transportation cost: $4,571
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,854
• Total annual expenditures: $64,693

How long $1 million will last: 15.5 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,936
• Annual housing cost: $12,518
• Annual utilities cost: $4,321
• Annual transportation cost: $4,391
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,330
• Total annual expenditures: $63,720

How long $1 million will last: 15.7

• Annual groceries cost: $5,080
• Annual housing cost: $11,668
• Annual utilities cost: $4,252
• Annual transportation cost: $4,729
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,123
• Total annual expenditures: $61,855

How long $1 million will last: 16.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,971
• Annual housing cost: $10,613
• Annual utilities cost: $3,858
• Annual transportation cost: $4,275
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,274
• Total annual expenditures: $57,755

How long $1 million will last: 17.3 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,877
• Annual housing cost: $11,176
• Annual utilities cost: $4,204
• Annual transportation cost: $4,331
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,306
• Total annual expenditures: $57,186

How long $1 million will last: 17.5 years

• Annual groceries cost: $5,060
• Annual housing cost: $9,691
• Annual utilities cost: $4,217
• Annual transportation cost: $4,400
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,330
• Total annual expenditures: $56,487

How long $1 million will last: 17.7 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,857
• Annual housing cost: $10,973
• Annual utilities cost: $4,010
• Annual transportation cost: $4,548
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,441
• Total annual expenditures: $55,632

How long $1 million will last: 18 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,822
• Annual housing cost: $9,487
• Annual utilities cost: $4,217
• Annual transportation cost: $4,442
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,965
• Total annual expenditures: $55,060

How long $1 million will last: 18.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,832
• Annual housing cost: $10,553
• Annual utilities cost: $3,616
• Annual transportation cost: $4,548
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,012
• Total annual expenditures: $53,903

How long $1 million will last: 18.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,778
• Annual housing cost: $10,410
• Annual utilities cost: $3,650
• Annual transportation cost: $4,169
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,147
• Total annual expenditures: $53,602

How long $1 million will last: 18.7 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,921
• Annual housing cost: $10,386
• Annual utilities cost: $4,430
• Annual transportation cost: $4,382
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,378
• Total annual expenditures: $53,507

How long $1 million will last: 18.7 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,812
• Annual housing cost: $9,967
• Annual utilities cost: $3,776
• Annual transportation cost: $4,123
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,029
• Total annual expenditures: $53,204

How long $1 million will last: 18.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,763
• Annual housing cost: $9,823
• Annual utilities cost: $4,559
• Annual transportation cost: $4,294
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,497
• Total annual expenditures: $53,174

How long $1 million will last: 18.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,862
• Annual housing cost: $9,979
• Annual utilities cost: $4,308
• Annual transportation cost: $4,784
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,862
• Total annual expenditures: $51,975

How long $1 million will last: 19.2 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,916
• Annual housing cost: $10,098
• Annual utilities cost: $4,590
• Annual transportation cost: $4,826
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,187
• Total annual expenditures: $51,483

How long $1 million will last: 19.4 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,708
• Annual housing cost: $9,595
• Annual utilities cost: $3,507
• Annual transportation cost: $4,618
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,584
• Total annual expenditures: $51,077

How long $1 million will last: 19.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,916
• Annual housing cost: $9,583
• Annual utilities cost: $3,828
• Annual transportation cost: $4,474
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,933
• Total annual expenditures: $50,003

How long $1 million will last: 20 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,901
• Annual housing cost: $10,266
• Annual utilities cost: $4,300
• Annual transportation cost: $4,437
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,497
• Total annual expenditures: $48,627

How long $1 million will last: 20.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,822
• Annual housing cost: $9,236
• Annual utilities cost: $3,919
• Annual transportation cost: $4,567
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,719
• Total annual expenditures: $48,124

How long $1 million will last: 20.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,758
• Annual housing cost: $9,320
• Annual utilities cost: $4,278
• Annual transportation cost: $4,035
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,282
• Total annual expenditures: $48,093

How long $1 million will last: 20.8 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,867
• Annual housing cost: $8,829
• Annual utilities cost: $4,243
• Annual transportation cost: $4,608
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,084
• Total annual expenditures: $47,603

How long $1 million will last: 21 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,946
• Annual housing cost: $9,427
• Annual utilities cost: $3,633
• Annual transportation cost: $4,479
• Annual healthcare cost: $8,457
• Total annual expenditures: $46,774

How long $1 million will last: 21.4 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,787
• Annual housing cost: $8,960
• Annual utilities cost: $4,023
• Annual transportation cost: $4,516
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,600
• Total annual expenditures: $46,367

How long $1 million will last: 21.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,698
• Annual housing cost: $8,673
• Annual utilities cost: $4,274
• Annual transportation cost: $4,169
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,497
• Total annual expenditures: $46,212

How long $1 million will last: 21.6

• Annual groceries cost: $4,763
• Annual housing cost: $7,663
• Annual utilities cost: $3,399
• Annual transportation cost: $4,414
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,663
• Total annual expenditures: $45,337

How long $1 million will last: 22.1 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,817
• Annual housing cost: $8,325
• Annual utilities cost: $4,330
• Annual transportation cost: $4,201
• Annual healthcare cost: $6,902
• Total annual expenditures: $45,321

How long $1 million will last: 22.1

• Annual groceries cost: $4,728
• Annual housing cost: $8,218
• Annual utilities cost: $4,131
• Annual transportation cost: $4,197
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,663
• Total annual expenditures: $44,412

How long $1 million will last: 22.5 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,718
• Annual housing cost: $8,960
• Annual utilities cost: $3,927
• Annual transportation cost: $4,164
• Annual healthcare cost: $6,799
• Total annual expenditures: $44,353

How long $1 million will last: 22.6 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,773
• Annual housing cost: $8,852
• Annual utilities cost: $3,849
• Annual transportation cost: $4,155
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,877
• Total annual expenditures: $43,005

How long $1 million will last: 23.3 years

• Annual groceries cost: $4,906
• Annual housing cost: $7,175
• Annual utilities cost: $4,183
• Annual transportation cost: $4,308
• Annual healthcare cost: $7,751
• Total annual expenditures: $40,816

How long $1 million will last in savings: 24.5 years

Travis Woods and Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income — all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey — and used the Missouri Economic Research Information Center for grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost-of-living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs for retired households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for Feb. 27, 2025. Using the home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average cost of living was calculated. Assuming $1 million in retirement savings, the number of years to draw down was calculated. The states were sorted to show the shortest to longest years until your savings is depleted. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Feb. 27, 2025.