How Much to Retire in Seattle, WA (2026)
Cost-of-living index 150 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$78,000/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.9M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Seattle's COL index (150 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 | $1,320 | $2,145 | $3,094 | $4,538 | $7,219 |
| Food | $600 | $975 | $1,406 | $2,063 | $3,281 |
| Healthcare | $560 | $910 | $1,313 | $1,925 | $3,063 |
| Transport | $480 | $780 | $1,125 | $1,650 | $2,625 |
| Leisure | $560 | $910 | $1,313 | $1,925 | $3,063 |
| Misc | $480 | $780 | $1,125 | $1,650 | $2,625 |
| Total / month | $4,000 | $6,500 | $9,375 | $13,750 | $21,875 |
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 | $48,000 | $4,000 | $1.2M |
| Comfortable | $78,000 | $6,500 | $1.9M |
| Premium | $112,500 | $9,375 | $2.8M |
| Affluent | $165,000 | $13,750 | $4.1M |
| Luxurious | $262,500 | $21,875 | $6.6M |
Seattle retirement context
WA has no state income tax — retirement income (Social Security, withdrawals) is not taxed at the state level.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need to retire in Seattle?
For a comfortable retirement in Seattle, plan on roughly $78,000/year ($6,500/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.9M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$48,000/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$112,500/year.
Is Seattle a good place to retire?
Seattle has an above-average cost of living (index 150 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 Seattle?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Seattle's cost-of-living index (150 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