Retire Comfortably in Tacoma, WA (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Tacoma (COL 114), this costs $4,940/month — a $7K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Tacoma (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,630 | $19,560 | 33% |
| Food | $741 | $8,892 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $692 | $8,304 | 14% |
| Transport | $593 | $7,116 | 12% |
| Leisure | $692 | $8,304 | 14% |
| Misc | $593 | $7,116 | 12% |
| Total | $4,940 | $59,280 | 100% |
How long to save $1.5M?
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 | 33 yrs | Age 63 |
| $2,000/mo | 24 yrs | Age 54 |
| $3,000/mo | 20 yrs | Age 50 |
| $5,000/mo | 15 yrs | Age 45 |
| $8,000/mo | 11 yrs | Age 41 |
Tacoma vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Tacoma
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Tacoma?
A comfortable retirement in Tacoma costs approximately $59,280/year or $4,940/month — based on a 114 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $1.5M.
How long will it take to save $1.5M for retirement in Tacoma?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 24 years to accumulate $1.5M. At $3,000/month, it would take about 20 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a comfortable retirement in Tacoma?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($1,630/month). Healthcare ($692/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