Retirement Cost in Denver, CO: 2026 Budget Guide
A comfortable retirement in Denver costs approximately $68,016/year — 31% above the national average of $52,000. Here's the full breakdown.
$68,016
Annual retirement cost
$5,668
Per month
$1,700,400
Nest egg needed (25× rule)
Direct Answer
Retiring in Denver, CO costs about $68,016 per year, or $5,668 per month. That is 31% above the national retirement budget benchmark, with an estimated $1,700,400 nest egg using the 4% rule.
Annual budget
$68,016
Range: $44,210-$98,623
Monthly budget
$5,668
Housing, healthcare, food, transport, utilities, and lifestyle
Portfolio target
$1,700,400
25x annual spending, before personalized tax planning
Tax note
State tax check
Review CO retirement income rules
Denver is an above-average-cost retirement destination. Factor in CO state taxes on retirement income when planning your budget.
Annual Retirement Budget in Denver
Based on BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (65+ households), adjusted for Denver's cost index (128). Range: $44,210–$98,623.
How Much Do You Need to Retire in Denver?
Standard
$1,700,400
4% Rule (25×)
Most common retirement planning benchmark
Conservative
$2,040,480
3.3% Rule (30×)
Conservative approach for longer retirements
After SS
$47,016
Savings needed/year
After avg Social Security (~$21,000/yr)
How Denver Compares
Denver Annual Cost
$68,016
National Average
$52,000
Difference
+$16,016/yr
31% more expensive
Retirement Planning Tips for Denver
✓Research Colorado's tax treatment of retirement income — some sources like Social Security may be partially or fully exempt.
✓Housing in Denver accounts for roughly $23,806/year of retirement costs — consider whether renting or owning makes more sense given your timeline.
✓Healthcare costs here run approximately $12,243/year. Compare Medicare Advantage plans by ZIP code — coverage and premiums vary significantly.
✓The estimated nest egg needed to retire in Denver is $1,700,400 using the 4% withdrawal rule.
✓Denver is more expensive than average — if flexibility allows, nearby metros may offer significant savings.
Retirement Decision Checklist
Compare housing at $1,984/month against your rent, mortgage, HOA, and property tax plan.
Budget healthcare at about $1,020/month before Medicare supplement, dental, and long-term care choices.
Stress test the plan with the conservative $2,040,480 portfolio target if you want a lower withdrawal rate.
Use $47,016/year as the rough portfolio-funded gap after average Social Security assumptions.
More for Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to retire in Denver?
A comfortable retirement in Denver costs approximately $68,016 per year ($5,668/month). This includes $23,806 for housing, $12,243 for healthcare, and $10,202 for transportation. Actual costs range from $44,210 to $98,623 depending on lifestyle.
How much money do I need to retire in Denver?
Using the 4% withdrawal rule, you need approximately $1,700,400 in savings to retire in Denver. For a more conservative 3.3% withdrawal rate (30× rule), the target is $2,040,480. If you expect average Social Security benefits (~$21,000/year), your portfolio needs to cover the remaining $47,016/year.
Is Denver a good place to retire?
Denver has above-average retirement costs at $68,016/year — 31% more than the national average. Higher costs may be justified by amenities, climate, or family proximity.
What is the biggest retirement expense in Denver?
Housing is the largest retirement expense in Denver, accounting for approximately 35% of the budget at $23,806/year ($1,984/month). Healthcare is the second-largest at $12,243/year, followed by transportation at $10,202/year.