Just stumbled on some interesting retirement math. Turns out the average 401(k) at retirement age sits around $300K, and the big question everyone's asking is how long will that actually last? Spoiler alert: it depends heavily on where you live.

I looked at this analysis based on 2023 cost-of-living data, and the regional differences are wild. In expensive states, you're looking at maybe 6-6.5 years before that nest egg runs dry (assuming you're just spending it down without investment gains or Social Security). But pick the right low-cost state? You could stretch it to 6 years and 8 months or longer.

Mississippi tops the list for affordability, followed by Oklahoma and Kansas. Housing's the big variable — some states have annual housing costs 30% below national average, which completely changes the equation. West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama also show up as solid options if you're trying to maximize how long $300K lasts in retirement.

The catch though: this analysis assumes $300K is your only income source. Throw in Social Security (averaging around $1,800/month) plus any investment returns, and that runway extends significantly. Plus healthcare costs vary state to state, which matters more as you age.

Basically, if you're sitting on $300K and wondering if it's enough, location is everything. Might be worth factoring into your retirement move.