Retire Comfortably in Austin, TX (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Austin (COL 122), this costs $5,287/month — a $11K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Austin (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,745 | $20,940 | 33% |
| Food | $793 | $9,516 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $740 | $8,880 | 14% |
| Transport | $634 | $7,608 | 12% |
| Leisure | $740 | $8,880 | 14% |
| Misc | $634 | $7,608 | 12% |
| Total | $5,287 | $63,440 | 100% |
How long to save $1.6M?
Time to reach your nest egg target investing at 7% annual return (S&P 500 historical avg).
| Monthly savings | Years to retire | Retirement age (start 30) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000/mo | 34 yrs | Age 64 |
| $2,000/mo | 25 yrs | Age 55 |
| $3,000/mo | 21 yrs | Age 51 |
| $5,000/mo | 16 yrs | Age 46 |
| $8,000/mo | 12 yrs | Age 42 |
Austin vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Austin
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Austin?
A comfortable retirement in Austin costs approximately $63,440/year or $5,287/month — based on a 122 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.6M.
How long will it take to save $1.6M for retirement in Austin?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 25 years to accumulate $1.6M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 21 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Austin?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,745/month). Healthcare ($740/month) is the second-largest category. TX has no state income tax, which reduces your overall tax burden in retirement.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates