Retire Modestly in Seattle, WA (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Seattle (COL 150), this costs $4,000/month — a $16K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Seattle (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,320 | $15,840 | 33% |
| Food | $600 | $7,200 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $560 | $6,720 | 14% |
| Transport | $480 | $5,760 | 12% |
| Leisure | $560 | $6,720 | 14% |
| Misc | $480 | $5,760 | 12% |
| Total | $4,000 | $48,000 | 100% |
How long to save $1.2M?
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 | 30 yrs | Age 60 |
| $2,000/mo | 22 yrs | Age 52 |
| $3,000/mo | 18 yrs | Age 48 |
| $5,000/mo | 13 yrs | Age 43 |
| $8,000/mo | 10 yrs | Age 40 |
Seattle vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Seattle
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Seattle?
A modest retirement in Seattle costs approximately $48,000/year or $4,000/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 $1.2M.
How long will it take to save $1.2M for retirement in Seattle?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 22 years to accumulate $1.2M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 18 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Seattle?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,320/month). Healthcare ($560/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