Salary Needed to Live in Los Angeles as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $80,576/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $80,576/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA. The bare-minimum salary is $75,058/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,824.
The minimum scenario leaves about $4,566/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,715/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$80,576
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$75,058
$6,255/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$4,566
25% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Los Angeles
| Expense | Los Angeles | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,450 | $1,448 | 0% |
| Groceries | $376 | $189 | +99% |
| Utilities | $224 | $183 | +22% |
| Transportation | $302 | $211 | +43% |
| Car Insurance | $196 | $215 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $740 | $642 | +15% |
| Medicare Supplement | $332 | $200 | +66% |
| Prescription Drugs | $249 | $150 | +66% |
| Internet + Phone | $199 | $120 | +66% |
| Recreation & Social | $332 | $200 | +66% |
| Home Maintenance | $166 | $100 | +66% |
| Total Monthly | $4,566 | $3,658 | +25% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$4,566
Target savings (5%):$258/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,824
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$80,576
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,450
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$258/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
166/100
Los Angeles is well above the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,450/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,278/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $75,058/year as the survival floor and $80,576/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Los Angeles
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Los Angeles?
A retiree needs approximately $80,576/year ($6,715/month gross) to live comfortably in Los Angeles with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Los Angeles?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Los Angeles costs approximately $1,450/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Los Angeles affordable for a retiree?
Los Angeles is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 25% more salary than the US median.