MYSTERIOUS: Monthly savings needed to retire comfortably in every state in 2026 - What They Never Told You

Key Findings

• It costs $100,000+ annually to live comfortably in 13 states. Besides Hawaii’s exorbitant $181,505, the other 12 states are California ($146,773), Massachusetts ($136,040), Washington ($119,994), New Jersey ($115,405), Colorado ($109,816), New Hampshire ($107,669), Oregon ($106,972), Rhode Island ($106,338), Utah ($105,471), Alaska ($102,726), New York ($102,674) and Connecticut ($102,521).
• You can retire comfortably in six states, if you start saving at least $1,500 every month from age 20 onward. A comfortable retirement in Kentucky ($1,490), Oklahoma ($1,455) Arkansas ($1,400), Louisiana ($1,391), Mississippi ($1,301) and West Virginia ($1,230) includes Social Security.
• Those getting a late start at age 30 can still enjoy and afford retirement if they set aside $2,000 every month in eight states: Iowa ($1,955), Alabama ($1,948), Kentucky ($1,915), Oklahoma ($1,871), Arkansas ($1,801), Louisiana ($1,789), Mississippi ($1,673) and West Virginia ($1,582). This monthly savings also factors in Social Security benefits.
• Even if you receive Social Security and you start saving at age 30, you need to save more than $4,000 per month to retire in six high-cost states. Hawaii requires the largest monthly savings at $7,458, followed by California ($5,804), Massachusetts ($5,293), Washington ($4,529), New Jersey ($4,310) and Colorado ($4,044).

Take a look at how much savings is needed monthly for a comfortable retirement in the United States. Plus, check out which 50 retirement towns are the nation’s wealthiest in 2026.

Alabama

• Population 65+ (%): 17.8%
• Median household income: $66,659
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $65,797

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,437
• Start saving at 30: $3,133

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,515
• Start saving at 30: $1,948

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Alaska

• Population 65+ (%): 13.8%
• Median household income: $95,665
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $102,726

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,805
• Start saving at 30: $4,892

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,883
• Start saving at 30: $3,706

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Arizona

• Population 65+ (%): 18.9%
• Median household income: $81,486
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $93,536

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,464
• Start saving at 30: $4,454

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,542
• Start saving at 30: $3,269

Arkansas

• Population 65+ (%): 17.6%
• Median household income: $62,106
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $62,705

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,322
• Start saving at 30: $2,986

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,400
• Start saving at 30: $1,801

California

• Population 65+ (%): 15.7%
• Median household income: $100,149
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $146,773

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $5,436
• Start saving at 30: $6,989

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $4,514
• Start saving at 30: $5,804

Colorado

• Population 65+ (%): 15.6%
• Median household income: $97,113
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $109,816

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $4,067
• Start saving at 30: $5,229

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,145
• Start saving at 30: $4,044

Connecticut

• Population 65+ (%): 18.5%
• Median household income: $96,049
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $102,521

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,797
• Start saving at 30: $4,882

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,875
• Start saving at 30: $3,697

See More: What You Need To Save Monthly To Retire Comfortably in Every State

Delaware

• Population 65+ (%): 20.6%
• Median household income: $87,534
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $90,679

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,358
• Start saving at 30: $4,318

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,436
• Start saving at 30: $3,133

Florida

• Population 65+ (%): 21.3%
• Median household income: $77,735
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $88,339

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,272
• Start saving at 30: $4,207

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,350
• Start saving at 30: $3,021

Georgia

• Population 65+ (%): 15%
• Median household income: $79,991
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $80,244

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,972
• Start saving at 30: $3,821

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,050
• Start saving at 30: $2,636

Hawaii

• Population 65+ (%): 20.5%
• Median household income: $100,745
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $181,505

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $6,722
• Start saving at 30: $8,643

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $5,800
• Start saving at 30: $7,458

Idaho

• Population 65+ (%): 17%
• Median household income: $81,166
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $97,454

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,609
• Start saving at 30: $4,641

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,687
• Start saving at 30: $3,455

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Illinois

• Population 65+ (%): 17%
• Median household income: $83,211
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $75,061

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,780
• Start saving at 30: $3,574

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,858
• Start saving at 30: $2,389

Indiana

• Population 65+ (%): 16.8%
• Median household income: $71,959
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $69,021

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,556
• Start saving at 30: $3,287

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,634
• Start saving at 30: $2,101

Iowa

• Population 65+ (%): 18.1%
• Median household income: $75,501
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $65,953

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,443
• Start saving at 30: $3,141

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,521
• Start saving at 30: $1,955

Kansas

• Population 65+ (%): 17%
• Median household income: $75,514
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $68,853

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,550
• Start saving at 30: $3,279

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,628
• Start saving at 30: $2,093

Kentucky

• Population 65+ (%): 17.3%
• Median household income: $64,526
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $65,118

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,412
• Start saving at 30: $3,101

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,490
• Start saving at 30: $1,915

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Louisiana

• Population 65+ (%): 16.7%
• Median household income: $60,986
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $62,464

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,313
• Start saving at 30: $2,974

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,391
• Start saving at 30: $1,789

Maine

• Population 65+ (%): 22.4%
• Median household income: $76,442
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $94,055

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,484
• Start saving at 30: $4,479

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,562
• Start saving at 30: $3,293

Maryland

• Population 65+ (%): 16.7%
• Median household income: $102,905
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $98,013

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,630
• Start saving at 30: $4,667

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,708
• Start saving at 30: $3,482

Massachusetts

• Population 65+ (%): 17.9%
• Median household income: $104,828
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $136,040

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $5,039
• Start saving at 30: $6,478

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $4,116
• Start saving at 30: $5,293

Michigan

• Population 65+ (%): 18.6%
• Median household income: $72,389
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $68,321

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,530
• Start saving at 30: $3,253

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,608
• Start saving at 30: $2,068

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Minnesota

• Population 65+ (%): 17.3%
• Median household income: $87,117
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $83,026

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,075
• Start saving at 30: $3,954

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,153
• Start saving at 30: $2,768

Mississippi

• Population 65+ (%): 17.2%
• Median household income: $59,127
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $60,024

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,223
• Start saving at 30: $2,858

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,301
• Start saving at 30: $1,673

Missouri

• Population 65+ (%): 17.9%
• Median household income: $71,589
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $69,317

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,567
• Start saving at 30: $3,301

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,645
• Start saving at 30: $2,115

Montana

• Population 65+ (%): 20.1%
• Median household income: $75,340
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $96,999

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,593
• Start saving at 30: $4,619

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,671
• Start saving at 30: $3,434

Nebraska

• Population 65+ (%): 16.7%
• Median household income: $76,376
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $71,605

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,652
• Start saving at 30: $3,410

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,730
• Start saving at 30: $2,224

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Nevada

• Population 65+ (%): 17%
• Median household income: $81,134
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $95,499

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,537
• Start saving at 30: $4,548

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,615
• Start saving at 30: $3,362

New Hampshire

• Population 65+ (%): 20.1%
• Median household income: $99,782
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $107,669

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,988
• Start saving at 30: $5,127

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,066
• Start saving at 30: $3,942

New Jersey

• Population 65+ (%): 17.2%
• Median household income: $104,294
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $115,405

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $4,274
• Start saving at 30: $5,495

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,352
• Start saving at 30: $4,310

New Mexico

• Population 65+ (%): 19.3%
• Median household income: $67,816
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $77,999

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,889
• Start saving at 30: $3,714

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,967
• Start saving at 30: $2,529

New York

• Population 65+ (%): 17.9%
• Median household income: $85,820
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $102,674

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,803
• Start saving at 30: $4,889

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,881
• Start saving at 30: $3,704

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North Carolina

• Population 65+ (%): 17.2%
• Median household income: $73,958
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $81,989

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,037
• Start saving at 30: $3,904

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,115
• Start saving at 30: $2,719

North Dakota

• Population 65+ (%): 16.5%
• Median household income: $77,871
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $74,654

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,765
• Start saving at 30: $3,555

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,843
• Start saving at 30: $2,370

Ohio

• Population 65+ (%): 18.3%
• Median household income: $72,212
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $68,808

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,548
• Start saving at 30: $3,277

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,626
• Start saving at 30: $2,091

Oklahoma

• Population 65+ (%): 16.3%
• Median household income: $66,148
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $64,181

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,377
• Start saving at 30: $3,056

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,455
• Start saving at 30: $1,871

Oregon

• Population 65+ (%): 19.1%
• Median household income: $85,220
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $106,972

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,962
• Start saving at 30: $5,094

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,040
• Start saving at 30: $3,908

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Pennsylvania

• Population 65+ (%): 19.5%
• Median household income: $77,545
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $73,928

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,738
• Start saving at 30: $3,520

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,816
• Start saving at 30: $2,335

Rhode Island

• Population 65+ (%): 18.7%
• Median household income: $83,504
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $106,338

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,938
• Start saving at 30: $5,064

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,016
• Start saving at 30: $3,878

South Carolina

• Population 65+ (%): 18.9%
• Median household income: $72,350
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $75,991

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,814
• Start saving at 30: $3,619

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,892
• Start saving at 30: $2,433

South Dakota

• Population 65+ (%): 18%
• Median household income: $76,881
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $78,601

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,911
• Start saving at 30: $3,743

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,989
• Start saving at 30: $2,557

Tennessee

• Population 65+ (%): 17.1%
• Median household income: $71,997
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $76,629

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,838
• Start saving at 30: $3,649

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,916
• Start saving at 30: $2,464

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Texas

• Population 65+ (%): 13.4%
• Median household income: $79,721
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $76,249

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,824
• Start saving at 30: $3,631

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,902
• Start saving at 30: $2,445

Utah

• Population 65+ (%): 11.9%
• Median household income: $96,658
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $105,471

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,906
• Start saving at 30: $5,022

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,984
• Start saving at 30: $3,837

Vermont

• Population 65+ (%): 21.4%
• Median household income: $82,730
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $92,133

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,412
• Start saving at 30: $4,387

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,490
• Start saving at 30: $3,202

Virginia

• Population 65+ (%): 16.7%
• Median household income: $92,090
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $92,172

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,414
• Start saving at 30: $4,389

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,492
• Start saving at 30: $3,204

Washington

• Population 65+ (%): 16.6%
• Median household income: $99,389
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $119,994

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $4,444
• Start saving at 30: $5,714

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $3,522
• Start saving at 30: $4,529

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West Virginia

• Population 65+ (%): 21%
• Median household income: $60,798
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $58,117

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,152
• Start saving at 30: $2,767

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $1,230
• Start saving at 30: $1,582

Wisconsin

• Population 65+ (%): 18.5%
• Median household income: $77,488
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $79,701

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $2,952
• Start saving at 30: $3,795

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,030
• Start saving at 30: $2,610

Wyoming

• Population 65+ (%): 18.5%
• Median household income: $75,532
• Comfortable cost of living annually: $83,054

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/o Social Security

• Start saving at 20: $3,076
• Start saving at 30: $3,955

Monthly savings to retire at 65 w/Social Security 

• Start saving at 20: $2,154
• Start saving at 30: $2,770

Explore more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income (via the U.S. Census American Community Survey). The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Missouri Economic and Research Information Center for 2025 and the national average expenditure costs for retired households came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. The average home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.11, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data on Feb. 11, 2026, the average mortgage was calculated for each state. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities was calculated. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule that states needs should not exceed 50% of household income, the total cost of living for necessities was doubled to find the comfortable cost of living. Using the average monthly Social Security income for one retired worker, the total cost of living comfortably after Social Security income was calculated for each state. Assuming a person retires at 65 and lives to 85, 20 years of retirement was calculated with and without Social Security income. Assuming a person starts saving at 20 or 30 years old, the monthly amount needed to retire with and without Social Security income was calculated for each age. All data is up to date as of Feb. 11, 2026.

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