How Much to Retire in Boulder, CO (2026)
Cost-of-living index 132 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$68,640/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.7M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Boulder's COL index (132 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 | $1,162 | $1,888 | $2,723 | $3,993 | $6,353 |
| Food | $528 | $858 | $1,238 | $1,815 | $2,888 |
| Healthcare | $493 | $801 | $1,155 | $1,694 | $2,695 |
| Transport | $422 | $686 | $990 | $1,452 | $2,310 |
| Leisure | $493 | $801 | $1,155 | $1,694 | $2,695 |
| Misc | $422 | $686 | $990 | $1,452 | $2,310 |
| Total / month | $3,520 | $5,720 | $8,250 | $12,100 | $19,250 |
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 | $42,240 | $3,520 | $1.1M |
| Comfortable | $68,640 | $5,720 | $1.7M |
| Premium | $99,000 | $8,250 | $2.5M |
| Affluent | $145,200 | $12,100 | $3.6M |
| Luxurious | $231,000 | $19,250 | $5.8M |
Boulder retirement context
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Boulder?
For a comfortable retirement in Boulder, plan on roughly $68,640/year ($5,720/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.7M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$42,240/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$99,000/year.
Is Boulder a good place to retire?
Boulder has an above-average cost of living (index 132 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 Boulder?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Boulder's cost-of-living index (132 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