Retire Modestly in Austin, TX (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Austin (COL 122), this costs $3,253/month — a $7K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Austin (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,073 | $12,876 | 33% |
| Food | $488 | $5,856 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $455 | $5,460 | 14% |
| Transport | $390 | $4,680 | 12% |
| Leisure | $455 | $5,460 | 14% |
| Misc | $390 | $4,680 | 12% |
| Total | $3,253 | $39,040 | 100% |
How long to save $976K?
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 | 28 yrs | Age 58 |
| $2,000/mo | 20 yrs | Age 50 |
| $3,000/mo | 16 yrs | Age 46 |
| $5,000/mo | 11 yrs | Age 41 |
| $8,000/mo | 8 yrs | Age 38 |
Austin vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Austin
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Austin?
A modest retirement in Austin costs approximately $39,040/year or $3,253/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 $976K.
How long will it take to save $976K for retirement in Austin?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 20 years to accumulate $976K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 16 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Austin?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,073/month). Healthcare ($455/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