Retire Comfortably in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Los Angeles (COL 173), this costs $7,497/month — a $38K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Los Angeles (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $2,474 | $29,688 | 33% |
| Food | $1,125 | $13,500 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $1,050 | $12,600 | 14% |
| Transport | $900 | $10,800 | 12% |
| Leisure | $1,050 | $12,600 | 14% |
| Misc | $900 | $10,800 | 12% |
| Total | $7,497 | $89,960 | 100% |
How long to save $2.2M?
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 | 38 yrs | Age 68 |
| $2,000/mo | 29 yrs | Age 59 |
| $3,000/mo | 25 yrs | Age 55 |
| $5,000/mo | 19 yrs | Age 49 |
| $8,000/mo | 14 yrs | Age 44 |
Los Angeles vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Los Angeles?
A comfortable retirement in Los Angeles costs approximately $89,960/year or $7,497/month — based on a 173 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $2.2M.
How long will it take to save $2.2M for retirement in Los Angeles?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 29 years to accumulate $2.2M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 25 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Los Angeles?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($2,474/month). Healthcare ($1,050/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates