How Much to Retire in Denver, CO (2026)
Cost-of-living index 122 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$63,440/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.6M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Denver's COL index (122 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 | $1,073 | $1,745 | $2,516 | $3,690 | $5,871 |
| Food | $488 | $793 | $1,144 | $1,677 | $2,669 |
| Healthcare | $455 | $740 | $1,068 | $1,566 | $2,491 |
| Transport | $390 | $634 | $915 | $1,342 | $2,135 |
| Leisure | $455 | $740 | $1,068 | $1,566 | $2,491 |
| Misc | $390 | $634 | $915 | $1,342 | $2,135 |
| Total / month | $3,253 | $5,287 | $7,625 | $11,183 | $17,792 |
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 | $39,040 | $3,253 | $976K |
| Comfortable | $63,440 | $5,287 | $1.6M |
| Premium | $91,500 | $7,625 | $2.3M |
| Affluent | $134,200 | $11,183 | $3.4M |
| Luxurious | $213,500 | $17,792 | $5.3M |
Denver retirement context
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Denver?
For a comfortable retirement in Denver, plan on roughly $63,440/year ($5,287/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.6M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$39,040/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$91,500/year.
Is Denver a good place to retire?
Denver has an above-average cost of living (index 122 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 Denver?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Denver's cost-of-living index (122 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