March 8, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Retirement Savings: The Amount Needed for a Comfortable Middle-Class Life in Each State

How Much You Need to Retire Comfortably in Every State

Retirement planning is essential for everyone, not just those nearing retirement. To achieve a comfortable middle-class lifestyle in retirement, years—if not decades—of candid saving are necessary.

Check Out: How Far $500,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

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Understanding Middle-Class Retirement Requirements

Have you ever wondered how much is needed for a middle-class retirement? What exactly defines middle class in various states? GOBankingRates analyzed data across all 50 states, considering factors like income ranges and cost of living. They calculated the required savings for a 20-year retirement period in each of these states.

To see what you need for retirement in your state—or your dream retirement destination—check out the full analysis here.

jar of coins

Key Findings

Mississippi is the state where the least amount is needed for a 20-year middle-class retirement: around $270,000.
Eight of the ten most affordable states are located in the South: Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Maryland requires the highest savings for a middle-class retirement, totaling approximately $893,000 for a 20-year period. The other top five most expensive states include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, and California.

Learn More: How Far $750,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

Read More: I’m a Middle-Class Retiree — here’s My Monthly Budget

State-by-State Breakdown

Alabama

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

See how long $1 million in retirement will last in every state.

Alaska

Middle-class income range: $59,557 to $178,672
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $728,988
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,191,147

Arizona

Middle-class income range: $51,248 to $153,744
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $562,802
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,024,960

Arkansas

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

California

Middle-class income range: $64,223 to $912,668
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $822,295
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,284,453

Colorado

Middle-class income range: $61,647 to $184,940
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $770,775
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,232,933

Discover More: Here’s the Cost of Living in Every State

Connecticut

Middle-class income range: $62,507 to $187,520
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $787,975
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,250,133

Delaware

Middle-class income range: $55,237 to $165,710
Needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $642,575
Needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,104,733

Understanding Middle-Class Retirement Needs Across the U.S.

Florida

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

Georgia

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

Hawaii

Middle-class income range: $65,545 to $196,634
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $848,735
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,310,893

Idaho

Middle-class income range: $49,757 to $149,272
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $532,988
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $995,147

Illinois

Middle-class income range: $54,468 to $163,404
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $627,202
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,089,360

Indiana

Middle-class income range: $46,701 to $140,102
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $471,855
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $934,013

Iowa

Middle-class income range: $48,765 to $146,294
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $513,135
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $975,293

Kansas

Middle-class income range: $48,426 to $145,278
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $506,362
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $968,520

Kentucky

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

Louisiana

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

Explore more about regional retirement needs: How Much You Need To Earn To Be ‘Rich’ in Every State

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Retirement Needs Vary Across U.S. States for Middle-Class Residents

Understanding the financial requirements for retirement can be crucial for individuals planning their future. The following data outlines the middle-class income ranges and the amount needed for a comfortable 20-year retirement, both with and without Social Security, across several states.

Maine

Middle-class income range: $47,849 to $143,546
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $494,815
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $956,973

Maryland

Middle-class income range: $67,768 to $202,304
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $893,202
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,355,360

Massachusetts

Middle-class income range: $67,561 to $202,682
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $889,055
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,351,213

Michigan

Middle-class income range: $47,433 to $142,298
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $486,495
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $948,653

Minnesota

Middle-class income range: $58,371 to $175,112
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $705,255
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,167,413

Mississippi

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

Missouri

Middle-class income range: $45,947 to $137,840
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $456,775
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $918,933

Montana

Middle-class income range: $46,615 to $139,844
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $470,135
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $932,293

Nebraska

Middle-class income range: $49,990 to $149,970
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $537,642
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $999,800

Nevada

Middle-class income range: $50,374 to $151,122
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $545,322
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,007,480

New Hampshire

Middle-class income range: $63,752 to $191,256
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $812,882
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,275,040

New Jersey

Middle-class income range: $67,367 to $202,100
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: [Data needed]
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: [Data needed]

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# Analyzing Retirement Funds Needed Across U.S. States

Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $885,175
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,347,333

Welcome to New Mexico road sign just across the Texas state line.

New Mexico

Middle-class income range: $41,417 to $124,250
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $366,175
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $828,333

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New York City skyline at sunset with Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan.

New York

Middle-class income range: $56,385 to $169,156
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $665,548
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,127,707

North Carolina plate

North Carolina

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

Fargo, North Dakota / USA - June 27 2017: Theater and Street View in Summer.

North Dakota

Middle-class income range: $50,633 to $151,898
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $550,495
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,012,653

Toledo, Ohio, USA downtown skyline on the Maumee River at twilight.

Ohio

Middle-class income range: $46,453 to $139,360
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $466,908
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $929,067

Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA - April 24, 2018: Daytime view of the enlarged bronze replica of 'The Bronco Buster'.

Oklahoma

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

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Willamette river in sunny autumn day.

Oregon

Middle-class income range: $53,617 to $160,852
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $610,188
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,072,347

An aerial shot of the cityscape of DuBois City in Pennsylvania during the sunrise.

Pennsylvania

Middle-class income range: $50,721 to $152,162
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $552,255
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,014,413

Pawtuxet Village in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island

Middle-class income range: $57,581 to $172,744
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $689,468
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,151,627

Map of South Carolina State.

South Carolina

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

Rapid City is the second most populous city in South Dakota.

South Dakota

Middle-class income range: $48,281 to $144,842
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $503,455
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: [data missing]

How Much You Need to Save for Retirement in Each State

Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $965,613

Find More: 21 Affordable Small Cities to Retire on the East Coast

Nashville skyline with river and sunset.

Tennessee

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

River walk in San Antonio city downtown skyline cityscape of Texas USA at sunset.

Texas

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

Moab Utah 84532 Home Zillow

Utah

Middle-class income range: $61,167 to $183,500
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $761,175
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,223,333

Aerial view of charming small town Stowe in Vermont.

Vermont

Middle-class income range: $52,016 to $156,048
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $578,162
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,040,320

Aerial view of Richmond skyline.

Virginia

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

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Roadside welcome to Washington State sign.

Washington

Middle-class income range: $63,301 to $189,904
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $803,686
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,266,027

Welcome to West Virginia sign.

West Virginia

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

Madison skyline and Wisconsin State Capitol.

Wisconsin

Middle-class income range: $50,447 to $151,340
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $546,775
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $1,008,933

Welcome to Wyoming sign.

Wyoming

Middle-class income range: $49,877 to $149,630
Amount needed for 20-year retirement with Social Security: $535,375
Amount needed for 20-year retirement without Social Security: $997,533

Methodology: GOBankingRates analyzed each state to determine necessary retirement savings. Data considered included population demographics, income ranges, cost of living, and average home values sourced from various official reports. These calculations are designed to provide prospective retirees an overview of financial readiness as of January 24, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much You’ll Need Saved To Live a Middle-Class Retirement in Every State.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.