Salary Needed to Live in Cambridge as a Retiree

A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $34,639/year to live comfortably in Cambridge, MA — including 5% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$34,639
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$32,233
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,934
58% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Cambridge

ExpenseCambridgeNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent$250$121+107%
🛒 Groceries$29$16+81%
⚡ Utilities$23$15+53%
🚗 Transportation$24$18+33%
🛡️ Car Insurance$247$229+8%
🏥 Health Insurance$67$58+16%
Medicare Supplement$336$200+68%
Prescription Drugs$252$150+68%
Internet + Phone$202$120+68%
Recreation & Social$336$200+68%
Home Maintenance$168$100+68%
Total Monthly$1,934$1,227+58%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,934
Target savings (5%):$109/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,043
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$34,639

Other Household Types in Cambridge

Single Person
$33,310/yr
$1,721/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$46,880/yr
$2,344/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$102,021/yr
$4,846/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in CambridgeCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cheaper AlternativesCost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a retiree need in Cambridge?
A retiree needs approximately $34,639/year ($2,887/month gross) to live comfortably in Cambridge with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Cambridge?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Cambridge costs approximately $250/month, which is the largest single expense at 13% of the total budget.
Is Cambridge affordable for a retiree?
Cambridge is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 58% more salary than the US median.
← Back to Cambridge