How Much to Retire in Tacoma, WA (2026)
Cost-of-living index 114 (US avg = 100). Comfortable retirement costs ~$59,280/yr · Nest egg target ~$1.5M.
Retirement spending tiers
National baselines adjusted for Tacoma's COL index (114 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 | $1,003 | $1,630 | $2,351 | $3,449 | $5,486 |
| Food | $456 | $741 | $1,069 | $1,568 | $2,494 |
| Healthcare | $426 | $692 | $998 | $1,463 | $2,328 |
| Transport | $365 | $593 | $855 | $1,254 | $1,995 |
| Leisure | $426 | $692 | $998 | $1,463 | $2,328 |
| Misc | $365 | $593 | $855 | $1,254 | $1,995 |
| Total / month | $3,040 | $4,940 | $7,125 | $10,450 | $16,625 |
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 | $36,480 | $3,040 | $912K |
| Comfortable | $59,280 | $4,940 | $1.5M |
| Premium | $85,500 | $7,125 | $2.1M |
| Affluent | $125,400 | $10,450 | $3.1M |
| Luxurious | $199,500 | $16,625 | $5.0M |
Tacoma 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 Tacoma?
For a comfortable retirement in Tacoma, plan on roughly $59,280/year ($4,940/month). That requires a nest egg of about $1.5M using the 4% safe withdrawal rule. A modest lifestyle costs ~$36,480/year, while a premium lifestyle runs ~$85,500/year.
Is Tacoma a good place to retire?
Tacoma has an above-average cost of living (index 114 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 Tacoma?
Each tier starts from a US national baseline and is scaled by Tacoma's cost-of-living index (114 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