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

Johnny Greig / iStock.com
Johnny Greig / iStock.com

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

According to a recent survey conducted by Schwab Retirement Plan Services, the average American needs about $1.9 million to retire comfortably. This number is way out of reach for many Americans, considering the average amount Americans have saved between the ages of 55 and 65 is $197,322, a far cry from what you’ll need in retirement.

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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, such as Hawaii or New York, you’ll want to work as long as you can 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 plan on making a move.

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

emperorcosar / Shutterstock.com
emperorcosar / Shutterstock.com

Hawaii

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,339

  • Annual housing cost: $35,813

  • Annual utilities cost: $6,913

  • Annual transportation cost: $6,238

  • Annual healthcare cost: $9,485

  • Total annual expenditures: $103,610

How long $1 million will last in savings: 9 years, 7 months, 25 days

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Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Massachusetts

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,080

  • Annual housing cost: $26,553

  • Annual utilities cost: $5,867

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,813

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,694

  • Total annual expenditures: $85,571

How long $1 million will last in savings: 11 years, 8 months, 9 days

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Tanarch / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Tanarch / Getty Images/iStockphoto

District of Columbia

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,166

  • Annual housing cost: $26,915

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,664

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,348

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,784

  • Total annual expenditures: $84,010

How long $1 million will last in savings: 11 years, 10 months, 25 days

Evan Bracken / Shutterstock.com
Evan Bracken / Shutterstock.com

California

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,387

  • Annual housing cost: $22,530

  • Annual utilities cost: $5,202

  • Annual transportation cost: $6,283

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,226

  • Total annual expenditures: $78,864

How long $1 million will last in savings: 12 years, 8 months, 5 days

Evan Bracken / Shutterstock.com
Evan Bracken / Shutterstock.com

New York

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,994

  • Annual housing cost: $20,695

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,363

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,304

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,173

  • Total annual expenditures: $73,140

How long $1 million will last in savings: 13 years, 8 months, 1 day

BILD LLC / Shutterstock.com
BILD LLC / Shutterstock.com

Alaska

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,814

  • Annual housing cost: $14,393

  • Annual utilities cost: $6,528

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,887

  • Annual healthcare cost: $11,227

  • Total annual expenditures: $73,082

How long $1 million will last in savings: 13 years, 8 months, 5 days

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Hugo Lancaster / Shutterstock.com

Washington

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,286

  • Annual housing cost: $14,966

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,961

  • Annual transportation cost: $6,490

  • Annual healthcare cost: $9,025

  • Total annual expenditures: $66,895

How long $1 million will last in savings: 14 years, 11 months, 12 days

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

New Hampshire

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,898

  • Annual housing cost: $13,259

  • Annual utilities cost: $5,418

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,556

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,106

  • Total annual expenditures: $66,838

How long $1 million will last in savings: 14 years, 11 months, 16 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Vermont

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,066

  • Annual housing cost: $15,796

  • Annual utilities cost: $5,007

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,992

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,090

  • Total annual expenditures: $66,433

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 0 months, 19 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Maryland

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,200

  • Annual housing cost: $16,006

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,757

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,869

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,646

  • Total annual expenditures: $66,375

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 0 months, 26 days

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Ami Parikh / Shutterstock.com
Ami Parikh / Shutterstock.com

Oregon

  • Annual groceries cost: $5,258

  • Annual housing cost: $15,714

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,151

  • Annual transportation cost: $6,223

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,332

  • Total annual expenditures: $66,317

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 0 months, 29 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Connecticut

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,965

  • Annual housing cost: $14,381

  • Annual utilities cost: $5,871

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,170

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,204

  • Total annual expenditures: $65,855

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 2 months, 4 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Rhode Island

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,960

  • Annual housing cost: $14,112

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,677

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,439

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,068

  • Total annual expenditures: $64,756

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 5 months, 10 days

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Maine

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,936

  • Annual housing cost: $14,089

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,499

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,422

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,348

  • Total annual expenditures: $64,005

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 7 months, 15 days

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kropic1 / Shutterstock.com

New Jersey

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,855

  • Annual housing cost: $14,779

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,651

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,091

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,570

  • Total annual expenditures: $63,773

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 8 months, 6 days

tonda / Getty Images
tonda / Getty Images

Arizona

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,936

  • Annual housing cost: $15,059

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,024

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,215

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,178

  • Total annual expenditures: $63,600

How long $1 million will last in savings: 15 years, 8 months, 20 days

Andrew Zarivny / Shutterstock.com
Andrew Zarivny / Shutterstock.com

Colorado

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,979

  • Annual housing cost: $13,691

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,944

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,254

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,465

  • Total annual expenditures: $61,807

How long $1 million will last in savings: 16 years, 2 months, 4 days

Maks Ershov / Shutterstock.com
Maks Ershov / Shutterstock.com

Utah

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,783

  • Annual housing cost: $13,282

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,139

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,403

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,899

  • Total annual expenditures: $60,420

How long $1 million will last in savings: 16 years, 6 months, 18 days

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Pierdelune / Shutterstock.com

Montana

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,912

  • Annual housing cost: $11,984

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,995

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,684

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,367

  • Total annual expenditures: $59,610

How long $1 million will last in savings: 16 years, 9 months, 10 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Virginia

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,826

  • Annual housing cost: $12,347

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,359

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,577

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,676

  • Total annual expenditures: $58,627

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 0 months, 22 days

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Nevada

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,989

  • Annual housing cost: $12,452

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,257

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,867

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,726

  • Total annual expenditures: $58,454

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 1 month, 9 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Florida

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,783

  • Annual housing cost: $12,557

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,189

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,805

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,321

  • Total annual expenditures: $58,396

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 1 month, 13 days

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Delaware

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,869

  • Annual housing cost: $11,213

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,219

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,923

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,713

  • Total annual expenditures: $58,281

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 1 month 13 days

Charles Knowles / Shutterstock.com
Charles Knowles / Shutterstock.com

Idaho

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,821

  • Annual housing cost: $11,072

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,745

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,279

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,578

  • Total annual expenditures: $57,240

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 5 months, 20 days

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ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com

North Carolina

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,711

  • Annual housing cost: $10,792

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,914

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,548

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,060

  • Total annual expenditures: $55,621

How long $1 million will last in savings: 17 years, 11 months, 23 days

EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

Wisconsin

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,792

  • Annual housing cost: $9,868

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,215

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,913

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,226

  • Total annual expenditures: $55,158

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 1 month, 16 days

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Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Pennsylvania

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,715

  • Annual housing cost: $9,599.

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,516

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,146

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,959

  • Total annual expenditures: $54,811

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 2 months, 26 days

RudyBalasko / Getty Images
RudyBalasko / Getty Images

Minnesota

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,739

  • Annual housing cost: $9,634

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,033

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,781

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,249

  • Total annual expenditures: $54,580

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 3 months, 27 days

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

South Carolina

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,701

  • Annual housing cost: $9,435

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,744

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,512

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,921

  • Total annual expenditures: $54,522

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 4 months, 3 days

Solange_Z / Getty Images
Solange_Z / Getty Images

North Dakota

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,495

  • Annual housing cost: $9,728

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,079

  • Annual transportation cost: $5,007

  • Annual healthcare cost: $8,452

  • Total annual expenditures: $54,522

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 4 months, 3 days

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Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

New Mexico

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,610

  • Annual housing cost: $10,172

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,931

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,755

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,419

  • Total annual expenditures: $54,291

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 5 months, 2 days

Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

Kentucky

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,835

  • Annual housing cost: $9,248

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,181

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,641

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,665

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,886

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 6 months, 23 days

WitGorski / Getty Images
WitGorski / Getty Images

Wyoming

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,917

  • Annual housing cost: $9,435

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,893

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,740

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,578

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,886

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 6 months, 23 days

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Texas

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,605

  • Annual housing cost: $9,833

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,300

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,513

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,042

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,7701

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 7 months, 7 days

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f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Ohio

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,816

  • Annual housing cost: $9,167

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,151

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,745

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,630

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,308

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 9 months, 4 days

Steven Frame / Shutterstock.com
Steven Frame / Shutterstock.com

South Dakota

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,586

  • Annual housing cost: $10,032

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,651

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,760

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,510

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,077

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 10 months, 3 days

Tam Patra / Shutterstock.com
Tam Patra / Shutterstock.com

Illinois

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,730

  • Annual housing cost: $9,213

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,740

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,997

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,231

  • Total annual expenditures: $53,077

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 10 months, 3 days

Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
Ron_Thomas / Getty Images

Indiana

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,768

  • Annual housing cost: $9,190

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,321

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,646

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,238

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,672

How long $1 million will last in savings: 18 years, 11 months, 27 days

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Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images
Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images

Michigan

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,802

  • Annual housing cost: $9,096

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,236

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,795

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,095

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,614

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 0 months, 4 days

Christopher Boswell / Shutterstock.com
Christopher Boswell / Shutterstock.com

Nebraska

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,586

  • Annual housing cost: $9,131

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,719

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,889

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,517

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,614

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 0 months, 4 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Georgia

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,677

  • Annual housing cost: $9,096

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,740

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,582

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,502

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,557

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 0 months, 11 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Louisiana

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,519

  • Annual housing cost: $9,412

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,516

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,666

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,487

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,441

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 0 months, 26 days

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f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Tennessee

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,644

  • Annual housing cost: $9,611

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,939

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,305

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,628

  • Total annual expenditures: $52,267

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 1 month, 17 days

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com
Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com

Iowa

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,620

  • Annual housing cost: $8,488

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,054

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,884

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,646

  • Total annual expenditures: $51,978

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 2 months, 26 days

Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

Arkansas

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,548

  • Annual housing cost: $8,582

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,876

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,444

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,469

  • Total annual expenditures: $51,169

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 6 months, 15 days

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Missouri

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,567

  • Annual housing cost: $8,933

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,300

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,389

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,794

  • Total annual expenditures: $51,053

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 7 months, 3 days

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SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Alabama

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,596

  • Annual housing cost: $8,243

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,312

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,404

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,469

  • Total annual expenditures: $50,995

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 7 months, 11 days

Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

Kansas

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,629

  • Annual housing cost: $7,974

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,444

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,429

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,382

  • Total annual expenditures: $50,533

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 9 months, 15 days

Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

Oklahoma

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,519

  • Annual housing cost: $8,313

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,003

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,651

  • Annual healthcare cost: $6,982

  • Total annual expenditures: $50,186

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 11 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Mississippi

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,644

  • Annual housing cost: $8,488

  • Annual utilities cost: $3,685

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,216

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,427

  • Total annual expenditures: $50,128

How long $1 million will last in savings: 19 years, 11 months, 12 days

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Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

West Virginia

  • Annual groceries cost: $4,701

  • Annual housing cost: $7,284

  • Annual utilities cost: $4,067

  • Annual transportation cost: $4,528

  • Annual healthcare cost: $7,163

  • Total annual expenditures: $49,261

How long $1 million will last in savings: 20 years, 3 months, 19 days

Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: In order to find how long $1,000,000 will last across the country, GOBankingRates first found (1) the national average annual expenditures for people 65 and older, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey data. Then, GOBankingRates created (2) state-level annual expenditure estimates by multiplying the national figure by each state’s overall cost of living index score for the 3Q 2023 from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Finally, GOBankingRates found (3) how many years $1,000,000 will last in each state by dividing $1,000,000 by each state’s average annual expenditures estimate. All 50 states and the District of Columbia were then ranked with No. 1 being the state where $1,000,000 will last the longest and No. 51 being the state where it will run out most quickly. GOBankingRates provided supplemental information on the average annual cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare for people 65 and older in each state by again using MERIC’s cost of living indices for each category to factor out national estimates from the CES. All data was collected on and up to date as of Dec. 13, 2023.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Long $1 Million in Retirement Will Last in Every State