How Much to Retire in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)
Cost-of-living index 117 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$60,840/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.5M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Scottsdale's COL index (117 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 | $1,030 | $1,673 | $2,413 | $3,539 | $5,631 |
| Food | $468 | $761 | $1,097 | $1,609 | $2,559 |
| Healthcare | $437 | $710 | $1,024 | $1,502 | $2,389 |
| Transport | $374 | $608 | $878 | $1,287 | $2,048 |
| Leisure | $437 | $710 | $1,024 | $1,502 | $2,389 |
| Misc | $374 | $608 | $878 | $1,287 | $2,048 |
| Total / month | $3,120 | $5,070 | $7,313 | $10,725 | $17,063 |
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 | $37,440 | $3,120 | $936K |
| Comfortable | $60,840 | $5,070 | $1.5M |
| Premium | $87,750 | $7,313 | $2.2M |
| Affluent | $128,700 | $10,725 | $3.2M |
| Luxurious | $204,750 | $17,063 | $5.1M |
Scottsdale retirement context
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Scottsdale?
For a comfortable retirement in Scottsdale, plan on roughly $60,840/year ($5,070/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.5M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$37,440/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$87,750/year.
Is Scottsdale a good place to retire?
Scottsdale has an above-average cost of living (index 117 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 Scottsdale?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Scottsdale's cost-of-living index (117 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