Retire Modestly in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Los Angeles (COL 173), this costs $4,613/month — a $23K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Los Angeles (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,522 | $18,264 | 33% |
| Food | $692 | $8,304 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $646 | $7,752 | 14% |
| Transport | $554 | $6,648 | 12% |
| Leisure | $646 | $7,752 | 14% |
| Misc | $554 | $6,648 | 12% |
| Total | $4,613 | $55,360 | 100% |
How long to save $1.4M?
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 | 32 yrs | Age 62 |
| $2,000/mo | 24 yrs | Age 54 |
| $3,000/mo | 19 yrs | Age 49 |
| $5,000/mo | 14 yrs | Age 44 |
| $8,000/mo | 10 yrs | Age 40 |
Los Angeles vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Los Angeles?
A modest retirement in Los Angeles costs approximately $55,360/year or $4,613/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 $1.4M.
How long will it take to save $1.4M for retirement in Los Angeles?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 24 years to accumulate $1.4M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 19 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Los Angeles?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,522/month). Healthcare ($646/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates