Retire Comfortably in Washington, DC (2026)
1BR apartment, dining out occasionally, one modest vacation/year. In Washington (COL 153), this costs $6,630/month — a $28K more than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a comfortable retirement in Washington (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $2,188 | $26,256 | 33% |
| Food | $995 | $11,940 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $928 | $11,136 | 14% |
| Transport | $796 | $9,552 | 12% |
| Leisure | $928 | $11,136 | 14% |
| Misc | $796 | $9,552 | 12% |
| Total | $6,630 | $79,560 | 100% |
How long to save $2.0M?
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 | 18 yrs | Age 48 |
| $8,000/mo | 13 yrs | Age 43 |
Washington vs US average — Comfortable retirement
Other retirement tiers in Washington
Frequently asked questions
How much does a comfortable retirement cost in Washington?
A comfortable retirement in Washington costs approximately $79,560/year or $6,630/month — based on a 153 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $2.0M.
How long will it take to save $2.0M for retirement in Washington?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 28 years to accumulate $2.0M. 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 Washington?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($2,188/month). Healthcare ($928/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates