Your $750K Nest Egg: How Far It Actually Stretches Across America

When mapping out retirement finances, many people fixate on hitting the million-dollar mark. But here’s a reality check: $750,000 can actually take you quite far—depending on where you plant your roots. The state you choose for retirement shapes your spending power dramatically, potentially doubling your runway in affordable regions compared to pricey coastal areas.

The Geographic Wealth Gap in Retirement

Your purchasing power shifts considerably once you cross state lines. Research analyzing the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey alongside state-level cost indices reveals a stark divide. That 750k nest egg lasts just over 7 years in Hawaii but stretches past 15 years in states like Oklahoma. That’s a difference of nearly 8 years—a massive swing driven purely by geography.

The methodology behind these findings factors in five major expense categories for people 65 and older: groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare costs. Each state’s unique economic profile gets weighted against national averages to project real sustainability timelines.

High-Cost Retirement Zones: Where Your 750k Burns Fastest

Hawaii dominates the “shortest runway” list, with annual expenditures hitting $104,245. Your $750,000 depletes in roughly 7 years and 2 months. Housing costs alone ($36,607 annually) consume over a third of spending. Groceries ($5,598) and utilities ($6,409) further strain the budget.

Massachusetts follows at 8 years 10 months, burning through $84,703 yearly. Boston-area living compounds expenses across all categories. New York lands around 10 years 3 months, while California manages 9 years 4 months. These coastal powerhouses share common traits: premium housing markets, elevated healthcare costs, and pricey everyday goods.

Alaska surprises many at 10 years 4 months. Despite cheaper housing ($14,322), grocery prices ($5,924) and utilities ($6,688) climb steeply—consequences of geographic isolation and supply chain dynamics.

The Affordable Retirement Belt: Where 750k Thrives

The South and Midwest reveal your true retirement wealth. Oklahoma residents see their $750,000 sustain 15 years and 19 days on annual spending of just $49,839. Mississippi stretches it to 15 years and 11 days at $49,896 yearly. Kansas manages 14 years 10 months, while West Virginia hits 14 years 9 months.

These states share favorable characteristics: lower housing costs ($7,821–$8,289 annually), reasonable utilities ($3,642–$4,515), and manageable groceries ($4,520–$4,720). Healthcare costs run slightly lower, and transportation needs fewer dollars.

The middle-tier performers—states like Florida, Nevada, and Colorado—clock 12–13 years. Florida’s appeal to retirees shows in its moderate $58,222 annual burn rate. Colorado balances mountain living with reasonable $60,766 yearly expenses, hitting 12 years 4 months.

Breaking Down the Numbers: What Actually Costs What

Housing dominates every state’s budget. In Hawaii, it consumes 35% of annual spending. In Kansas, it’s just 15.6%. This single factor explains much of the geographic divide.

Groceries range from $4,518 (North Dakota) to $5,924 (Alaska). Utilities span $3,630 (Idaho) to $6,688 (Alaska). Healthcare varies sharply too—$6,310 in Kentucky versus $11,166 in Alaska.

These aren’t random fluctuations. They reflect real-world supply costs, regulatory environments, population density, and regional economic structures.

Making the Trade-Off: Longevity Versus Lifestyle

The data tempts retirees toward Oklahoma and Mississippi. But raw numbers don’t capture everything. A person valuing ocean views, cultural amenities, or family connections might rationally choose California at 9 years 4 months over Alabama’s 14 years 8 months.

The smart approach: use this framework to identify your minimum viable runway, then choose locations that blend affordability with your actual retirement vision. Perhaps that’s splitting time between an expensive state (6 months) and a budget-friendly one (6 months).

The Bottom Line on Your 750k

$750,000 in retirement funds isn’t one-size-fits-all. In Hawaii, it’s a 7-year bridge requiring supplementary income or major lifestyle cuts. In Oklahoma, it’s a potential 15-year foundation supporting modest but secure retirement. Most American retirees fall somewhere between 11–14 years, suggesting this amount works best as part of a diversified retirement strategy including Social Security, pensions, or part-time income.

The state you select acts as a financial multiplier. Choose wisely, and your $750,000 becomes genuinely comfortable. Choose poorly, and you’re perpetually anxious about depletion.

Data current as of February 2024, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey and Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s 2023 cost of living indices.