Salary Needed to Live in Washington as a Retiree

A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $31,325/year to live comfortably in Washington, DC — including 5% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$31,325
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$29,150
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,749
43% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Washington

ExpenseWashingtonNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent$189$121+56%
🛒 Groceries$21$16+31%
⚡ Utilities$21$15+40%
🚗 Transportation$25$18+39%
🛡️ Car Insurance$258$229+13%
🏥 Health Insurance$65$58+12%
Medicare Supplement$304$200+52%
Prescription Drugs$228$150+52%
Internet + Phone$182$120+52%
Recreation & Social$304$200+52%
Home Maintenance$152$100+52%
Total Monthly$1,749$1,227+43%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,749
Target savings (5%):$99/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,848
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$31,325

Other Household Types in Washington

Single Person
$30,174/yr
$1,559/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$42,340/yr
$2,117/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$91,642/yr
$4,353/mo expenses

Related Pages

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

FAQ

What salary does a retiree need in Washington?
A retiree needs approximately $31,325/year ($2,610/month gross) to live comfortably in Washington with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Washington?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Washington costs approximately $189/month, which is the largest single expense at 11% of the total budget.
Is Washington affordable for a retiree?
Washington is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 43% more salary than the US median.
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