How Much to Retire in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
Cost-of-living index 120 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$62,400/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.6M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Fort Lauderdale's COL index (120 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 | $1,056 | $1,716 | $2,475 | $3,630 | $5,775 |
| Food | $480 | $780 | $1,125 | $1,650 | $2,625 |
| Healthcare | $448 | $728 | $1,050 | $1,540 | $2,450 |
| Transport | $384 | $624 | $900 | $1,320 | $2,100 |
| Leisure | $448 | $728 | $1,050 | $1,540 | $2,450 |
| Misc | $384 | $624 | $900 | $1,320 | $2,100 |
| Total / month | $3,200 | $5,200 | $7,500 | $11,000 | $17,500 |
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 | $38,400 | $3,200 | $960K |
| Comfortable | $62,400 | $5,200 | $1.6M |
| Premium | $90,000 | $7,500 | $2.3M |
| Affluent | $132,000 | $11,000 | $3.3M |
| Luxurious | $210,000 | $17,500 | $5.3M |
Fort Lauderdale retirement context
FL has no state income tax — retirement income (Social Security, withdrawals) is not taxed at the state level.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Fort Lauderdale?
For a comfortable retirement in Fort Lauderdale, plan on roughly $62,400/year ($5,200/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.6M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$38,400/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$90,000/year.
Is Fort Lauderdale a good place to retire?
Fort Lauderdale has an above-average cost of living (index 120 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Fort Lauderdale's cost-of-living index (120 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