How Much to Retire in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
Cost-of-living index 173 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$89,960/yr · Nest egg target ~$2.2M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Los Angeles's COL index (173 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 | $1,522 | $2,474 | $3,568 | $5,233 | $8,326 |
| Food | $692 | $1,125 | $1,622 | $2,379 | $3,784 |
| Healthcare | $646 | $1,050 | $1,514 | $2,220 | $3,532 |
| Transport | $554 | $900 | $1,298 | $1,903 | $3,027 |
| Leisure | $646 | $1,050 | $1,514 | $2,220 | $3,532 |
| Misc | $554 | $900 | $1,298 | $1,903 | $3,027 |
| Total / month | $4,613 | $7,497 | $10,813 | $15,858 | $25,229 |
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 | $55,360 | $4,613 | $1.4M |
| Comfortable | $89,960 | $7,497 | $2.2M |
| Premium | $129,750 | $10,813 | $3.2M |
| Affluent | $190,300 | $15,858 | $4.8M |
| Luxurious | $302,750 | $25,229 | $7.6M |
Los Angeles retirement context
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Los Angeles?
For a comfortable retirement in Los Angeles, plan on roughly $89,960/year ($7,497/month). That requires a nest egg of about $2.2M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$55,360/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$129,750/year.
Is Los Angeles a good place to retire?
Los Angeles has an above-average cost of living (index 173 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 Los Angeles?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Los Angeles's cost-of-living index (173 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