Salary Needed to Live in Tacoma as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $66,582/year to live comfortably in Tacoma, WA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $66,582/year to live comfortably in Tacoma, WA. The bare-minimum salary is $62,022/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,986.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,773/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,549/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$66,582
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$62,022
$5,169/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,773
3% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Tacoma
| Expense | Tacoma | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,257 | $1,448 | -13% |
| Groceries | $225 | $189 | +19% |
| Utilities | $183 | $183 | 0% |
| Transportation | $204 | $211 | -3% |
| Car Insurance | $209 | $215 | -3% |
| Health Insurance | $771 | $642 | +20% |
| Medicare Supplement | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Prescription Drugs | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Internet + Phone | $144 | $120 | +20% |
| Recreation & Social | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Home Maintenance | $120 | $100 | +20% |
| Total Monthly | $3,773 | $3,658 | +3% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,773
Target savings (5%):$213/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,986
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$66,582
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,257
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 33% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus WA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$213/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
120/100
Tacoma is close to 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 $1,257/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $924/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $62,022/year as the survival floor and $66,582/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Tacoma
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Tacoma?
A retiree needs approximately $66,582/year ($5,549/month gross) to live comfortably in Tacoma with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Tacoma?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Tacoma costs approximately $1,257/month, which is the largest single expense at 33% of the total budget.
Is Tacoma affordable for a retiree?
Tacoma is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.