Retire Comfortably in Boulder, CO (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Boulder (COL 132), this costs $5,720/month — a $17K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Boulder (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,888 | $22,656 | 33% |
| Food | $858 | $10,296 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $801 | $9,612 | 14% |
| Transport | $686 | $8,232 | 12% |
| Leisure | $801 | $9,612 | 14% |
| Misc | $686 | $8,232 | 12% |
| Total | $5,720 | $68,640 | 100% |
How long to save $1.7M?
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 | 35 yrs | Age 65 |
| $2,000/mo | 26 yrs | Age 56 |
| $3,000/mo | 22 yrs | Age 52 |
| $5,000/mo | 16 yrs | Age 46 |
| $8,000/mo | 12 yrs | Age 42 |
Boulder vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Boulder
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Boulder?
A comfortable retirement in Boulder costs approximately $68,640/year or $5,720/month — based on a 132 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.7M.
How long will it take to save $1.7M for retirement in Boulder?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 26 years to accumulate $1.7M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 22 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Boulder?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,888/month). Healthcare ($801/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates