Retire Modestly in Boston, MA (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Boston (COL 162), this costs $4,320/month — a $20K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Boston (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,426 | $17,112 | 33% |
| Food | $648 | $7,776 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $605 | $7,260 | 14% |
| Transport | $518 | $6,216 | 12% |
| Leisure | $605 | $7,260 | 14% |
| Misc | $518 | $6,216 | 12% |
| Total | $4,320 | $51,840 | 100% |
How long to save $1.3M?
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 | 31 yrs | Age 61 |
| $2,000/mo | 23 yrs | Age 53 |
| $3,000/mo | 19 yrs | Age 49 |
| $5,000/mo | 14 yrs | Age 44 |
| $8,000/mo | 10 yrs | Age 40 |
Boston vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Boston
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Boston?
A modest retirement in Boston costs approximately $51,840/year or $4,320/month — based on a 162 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.3M.
How long will it take to save $1.3M for retirement in Boston?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 23 years to accumulate $1.3M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 19 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Boston?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,426/month). Healthcare ($605/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates