Retire Modestly in Boulder, CO (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Boulder (COL 132), this costs $3,520/month — a $10K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Boulder (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,162 | $13,944 | 33% |
| Food | $528 | $6,336 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $493 | $5,916 | 14% |
| Transport | $422 | $5,064 | 12% |
| Leisure | $493 | $5,916 | 14% |
| Misc | $422 | $5,064 | 12% |
| Total | $3,520 | $42,240 | 100% |
How long to save $1.1M?
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 | 29 yrs | Age 59 |
| $2,000/mo | 21 yrs | Age 51 |
| $3,000/mo | 16 yrs | Age 46 |
| $5,000/mo | 12 yrs | Age 42 |
| $8,000/mo | 9 yrs | Age 39 |
Boulder vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Boulder
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Boulder?
A modest retirement in Boulder costs approximately $42,240/year or $3,520/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 $1.1M.
How long will it take to save $1.1M for retirement in Boulder?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 21 years to accumulate $1.1M. 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 Boulder?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,162/month). Healthcare ($493/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates