Salary Needed to Live in Durango as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $64,535/year to live comfortably in Durango, CO, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $64,535/year to live comfortably in Durango, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $60,115/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,864.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,657/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,378/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$64,535
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$60,115
$5,010/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,657
0% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Durango
| Expense | Durango | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,227 | $1,448 | -15% |
| Groceries | $199 | $189 | +5% |
| Utilities | $194 | $183 | +6% |
| Transportation | $251 | $211 | +19% |
| Car Insurance | $217 | $215 | +1% |
| Health Insurance | $660 | $642 | +3% |
| Medicare Supplement | $236 | $200 | +18% |
| Prescription Drugs | $177 | $150 | +18% |
| Internet + Phone | $142 | $120 | +18% |
| Recreation & Social | $236 | $200 | +18% |
| Home Maintenance | $118 | $100 | +18% |
| Total Monthly | $3,657 | $3,658 | 0% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,657
Target savings (5%):$207/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,864
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$64,535
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,227
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$207/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
118/100
Durango 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 $1,227/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $909/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $60,115/year as the survival floor and $64,535/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Durango
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Durango?
A retiree needs approximately $64,535/year ($5,378/month gross) to live comfortably in Durango with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Durango?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Durango costs approximately $1,227/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Durango affordable for a retiree?
Durango is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.