Retire Comfortably in Seattle, WA (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Seattle (COL 150), this costs $6,500/month — a $26K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Seattle (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $2,145 | $25,740 | 33% |
| Food | $975 | $11,700 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $910 | $10,920 | 14% |
| Transport | $780 | $9,360 | 12% |
| Leisure | $910 | $10,920 | 14% |
| Misc | $780 | $9,360 | 12% |
| Total | $6,500 | $78,000 | 100% |
How long to save $1.9M?
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 | 37 yrs | Age 67 |
| $2,000/mo | 28 yrs | Age 58 |
| $3,000/mo | 23 yrs | Age 53 |
| $5,000/mo | 17 yrs | Age 47 |
| $8,000/mo | 13 yrs | Age 43 |
Seattle vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Seattle
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Seattle?
A comfortable retirement in Seattle costs approximately $78,000/year or $6,500/month — based on a 150 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.9M.
How long will it take to save $1.9M for retirement in Seattle?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 28 years to accumulate $1.9M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 23 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Seattle?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($2,145/month). Healthcare ($910/month) is the second-largest category. WA has no state income tax, which reduces your overall tax burden in retirement.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates