Retire Modestly in Evansville, IN (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Evansville (COL 80), this costs $2,133/month — a $6K less than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Evansville (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $704 | $8,448 | 33% |
| Food | $320 | $3,840 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $299 | $3,588 | 14% |
| Transport | $256 | $3,072 | 12% |
| Leisure | $299 | $3,588 | 14% |
| Misc | $256 | $3,072 | 12% |
| Total | $2,133 | $25,600 | 100% |
How long to save $640K?
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 | 23 yrs | Age 53 |
| $2,000/mo | 16 yrs | Age 46 |
| $3,000/mo | 12 yrs | Age 42 |
| $5,000/mo | 8 yrs | Age 38 |
| $8,000/mo | 6 yrs | Age 36 |
Evansville vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Evansville
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Evansville?
A modest retirement in Evansville costs approximately $25,600/year or $2,133/month — based on a 80 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $640K.
How long will it take to save $640K for retirement in Evansville?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 16 years to accumulate $640K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 12 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Evansville?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($704/month). Healthcare ($299/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates