Retire Comfortably in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Fort Lauderdale (COL 120), this costs $5,200/month — a $10K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Fort Lauderdale (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,716 | $20,592 | 33% |
| Food | $780 | $9,360 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $728 | $8,736 | 14% |
| Transport | $624 | $7,488 | 12% |
| Leisure | $728 | $8,736 | 14% |
| Misc | $624 | $7,488 | 12% |
| Total | $5,200 | $62,400 | 100% |
How long to save $1.6M?
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 | 34 yrs | Age 64 |
| $2,000/mo | 25 yrs | Age 55 |
| $3,000/mo | 20 yrs | Age 50 |
| $5,000/mo | 15 yrs | Age 45 |
| $8,000/mo | 11 yrs | Age 41 |
Fort Lauderdale vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Fort Lauderdale
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Fort Lauderdale?
A comfortable retirement in Fort Lauderdale costs approximately $62,400/year or $5,200/month — based on a 120 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.6M.
How long will it take to save $1.6M for retirement in Fort Lauderdale?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 25 years to accumulate $1.6M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 20 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Fort Lauderdale?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,716/month). Healthcare ($728/month) is the second-largest category. FL has no state income tax, which reduces your overall tax burden in retirement.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates