Retire Modestly in Madison, WI (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Madison (COL 97), this costs $2,587/month — a $1K less than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Madison (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $854 | $10,248 | 33% |
| Food | $388 | $4,656 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $362 | $4,344 | 14% |
| Transport | $310 | $3,720 | 12% |
| Leisure | $362 | $4,344 | 14% |
| Misc | $310 | $3,720 | 12% |
| Total | $2,587 | $31,040 | 100% |
How long to save $776K?
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 | 25 yrs | Age 55 |
| $2,000/mo | 17 yrs | Age 47 |
| $3,000/mo | 14 yrs | Age 44 |
| $5,000/mo | 10 yrs | Age 40 |
| $8,000/mo | 7 yrs | Age 37 |
Madison vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Madison
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Madison?
A modest retirement in Madison costs approximately $31,040/year or $2,587/month — based on a 97 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $776K.
How long will it take to save $776K for retirement in Madison?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 17 years to accumulate $776K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 14 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Madison?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($854/month). Healthcare ($362/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates