How Much to Retire in Boston, MA (2026)
Cost-of-living index 162 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$84,240/yr · Nest egg target ~$2.1M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Boston's COL index (162 vs 100 US average). Nest egg uses the 4% safe withdrawal rule (annual × 25).
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year
2BR home, regular dining out, two vacations/year, newer car
Owned home, frequent travel, generous entertainment budget
Upscale home, luxury travel, golf/clubs, full-time help
Monthly budget breakdown by tier
Estimated monthly allocation across spending categories
| Category | Modest | Comfortable | Premium | Affluent | Luxurious |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,426 | $2,317 | $3,341 | $4,901 | $7,796 |
| Food | $648 | $1,053 | $1,519 | $2,228 | $3,544 |
| Healthcare | $605 | $983 | $1,418 | $2,079 | $3,308 |
| Transport | $518 | $842 | $1,215 | $1,782 | $2,835 |
| Leisure | $605 | $983 | $1,418 | $2,079 | $3,308 |
| Misc | $518 | $842 | $1,215 | $1,782 | $2,835 |
| Total / month | $4,320 | $7,020 | $10,125 | $14,850 | $23,625 |
Nest egg targets
How much you need saved to fund each lifestyle, using the 4% safe withdrawal rule
| Tier | Annual spend | Monthly spend | Nest egg (4% rule) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modest | $51,840 | $4,320 | $1.3M |
| Comfortable | $84,240 | $7,020 | $2.1M |
| Premium | $121,500 | $10,125 | $3.0M |
| Affluent | $178,200 | $14,850 | $4.5M |
| Luxurious | $283,500 | $23,625 | $7.1M |
Boston retirement context
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Boston?
For a comfortable retirement in Boston, plan on roughly $84,240/year ($7,020/month). That requires a nest egg of about $2.1M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$51,840/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$121,500/year.
Is Boston a good place to retire?
Boston has an above-average cost of living (index 162 vs 100 national average). Retiring here requires a larger nest egg, but many choose it for its amenities, climate, or proximity to family.
How is the retirement cost calculated for Boston?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Boston's cost-of-living index (162 vs 100 US average). Nest egg targets use the 4% safe withdrawal rule (annual spend × 25). The budget allocation assumes roughly 33% housing, 15% food, 14% healthcare, 12% transport, 14% leisure, and 12% miscellaneous.
Deep-dive by tier
Spending estimates adjusted by BLS cost-of-living data · 4% safe withdrawal rule (Bengen 1994) · 2026 estimates · For general guidance only