Salary Needed to Live in Sedona as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $64,800/year to live comfortably in Sedona, AZ, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $64,800/year to live comfortably in Sedona, AZ. The bare-minimum salary is $60,362/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,879.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,672/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,400/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$64,800
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$60,362
$5,030/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,672
0% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Sedona
| Expense | Sedona | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,086 | $1,448 | -25% |
| Groceries | $248 | $189 | +31% |
| Utilities | $192 | $183 | +5% |
| Transportation | $293 | $211 | +39% |
| Car Insurance | $239 | $215 | +11% |
| Health Insurance | $536 | $642 | -17% |
| Medicare Supplement | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Prescription Drugs | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Internet + Phone | $168 | $120 | +40% |
| Recreation & Social | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Home Maintenance | $140 | $100 | +40% |
| Total Monthly | $3,672 | $3,658 | 0% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,672
Target savings (5%):$207/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,879
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$64,800
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,086
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus AZ 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
140/100
Sedona 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 $1,086/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,078/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $60,362/year as the survival floor and $64,800/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Sedona
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Sedona?
A retiree needs approximately $64,800/year ($5,400/month gross) to live comfortably in Sedona with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Sedona?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Sedona costs approximately $1,086/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Sedona affordable for a retiree?
Sedona is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.