A study has named West Virginia the least expensive state for Americans to retire confidently in 2025. According to the analysis by NetCredit, retirees in West Virginia would need an estimated $712,921 in savings to cover living expenses for the average retirement period — nearly $25,000 less than the national average.

The report used data from MIT’s Cost of Living Index and assumed a retirement duration of about 14 years and 8 months, based on average retirement age and life expectancy in the U.S. A 20% buffer was added to reflect a more confident retirement lifestyle.

In contrast, states like Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, and New York require savings of over $1 million, driven by higher housing and daily living costs.

source: netcredit.com