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Here’s How Much You Need Saved To Retire Rich in America’s Largest Cities



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If you’ve ever considered retirement, you know your savings target should be millions of dollars. How many million you actually need to save up to retire will depend on a couple of factors, the top being your lifestyle and retirement location.
Of course, this can be a different ballgame if you’re looking to retire rich, as inflation is changing the numbers. This is because how much you need to retire is not the same as how much you want to retire and this is the determinant for the kind of retirement you seek.
Predicting your financial future may be difficult but not impossible, as retirement savings is subjective. But, according to this GOBankingRates study, you’ll need $974,135 at the low end and $4,757,745 at the high end if you’re planning to retire rich in America’s largest cities.
Here is how much you’ll need to save in the 50 largest American cities to retire rich over 20, 25 and 30 years — ranked from the city where you need the least through the city where you need the most.
1. El Paso, Texas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $974,135
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,217,666
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,462,666
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $24,353
2. Wichita, Kansas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $994,950
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,243,687
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,493,919
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $24,874
3. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,052,768
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,315,960
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,580,732
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $26,319
4. Oklahoma City
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,057,393
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,321,742
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,587,677
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $26,435
5. Indianapolis
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,062,019
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,327,523
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,594,623
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $26,551
6. Memphis, Tennessee
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,064,331
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,330,414
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,598,095
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $26,608
7. Milwaukee
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,115,211
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,394,014
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,674,491
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $27,880
8. Kansas City, Missouri
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,124,462
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,405,578
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,688,382
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $28,112
9. Louisville, Kentucky
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,156,840
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,446,050
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,736,997
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $28,921
10. Omaha, Nebraska
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,179,967
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,474,959
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,771,723
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $29,499
11. San Antonio, Texas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,191,531
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,489,414
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,789,086
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $29,788
12. Columbus, Ohio
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,193,844
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,492,305
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,792,558
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $29,846
13. Detroit
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,203,895
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,503,868
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,806,448
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $30,077
14. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,207,720
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,509,650
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,813,393
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $30,193
15. Baltimore
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,221,596
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,526,995
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,834,229
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $30,540
16. Jacksonville, Florida
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,293,291
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,616,613
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,941,878
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $32,332
17. Houston
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,321,043
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,651,304
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,983,548
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $33,026
18. Tucson, Arizona
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,323,356
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,654,195
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,987,021
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $33,084
19. Bakersfield, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,388,112
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,735,140
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,084,252
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $34,703
20. Dallas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,397,363
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,746,704
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,098,143
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $34,934
21. Arlington, Texas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,427,428
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,784,286
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,143,286
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $35,686
22. Fort Worth, Texas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,427,428
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,784,286
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,143,286
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $35,686
23. Charlotte, North Carolina
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,450,556
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,813,195
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,178,011
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $36,264
24. Fresno, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,478,308
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,847,885
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,219,682
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $36,958
25. Philadelphia
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,492,985
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,865,231
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,240,517
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $37,305
26. Nashville, Tennessee
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,501,435
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,876,794
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,254,408
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $37,536
27. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,503,748
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,879,685
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,257,880
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $37,594
28. Chicago
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,524,563
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,905,703
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,289,133
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $38,114
29. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,526,875
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,908,594
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,292,606
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $38,172
30. Minneapolis
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,559,253
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $1,949,067
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,341,221
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $38,981
31. Colorado Springs
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,630,948
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,038,685
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,448,871
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $40,774
32. Las Vegas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,637,886
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,047,357
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,459,288
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $40,947
33. Mesa, Arizona
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,693,391
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,116,739
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,542,629
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $42,335
33. Phoenix
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,693,391
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,116,739
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,542,629
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $42,335
35. Atlanta
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,700,329
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,125,412
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,553,047
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $42,508
36. Miami
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $1,829,842
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,287,302
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,747,510
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $45,746
37. Sacramento, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,021,797
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,527,247
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,035,732
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $50,545
38. Denver
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,031,048
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,538,810
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,049,622
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $50,776
39. Portland, Oregon
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,033,361
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,541,701
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,053,095
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $50,834
40. Austin, Texas
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,065,739
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $2,582,174
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,101,710
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $51,643
41. Boston
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,567,599
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,209,499
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,855,254
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $64,190
42. Washington, D.C.
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,662,421
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,328,026
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,997,69
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $66,561
43. San Diego
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,662,421
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,328,026
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,997,629
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $66,561
44. Seattle
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,736,428
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,420,535
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $4,108,751
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $68,411
45. Long Beach, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,819,686
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,524,607
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $4,233,763
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $70,492
46. Los Angeles
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $2,819,304
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,524,607
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $4,233,763
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $70,492
47. New York City
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $3,069,460
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $3,836,825
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $4,608,798
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $76,736
48. Oakland, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $3,601,385
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $4,501,732
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $5,407,485
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $90,035
49. San Jose, California
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $4,422,401
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $5,528,001
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $6,640,241
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $110,560
50. San Francisco
- Savings Needed for 20 years of Retiring Rich: $4,757,745
- Savings Needed for 25 Years of Retiring Rich: $5,947,182
- Savings Needed for 30 Years of Retiring Rich: $7,143,762
- Annual Cost of Living After Social Security: $118,944
Methodology: In order to find out exactly how much you need to retire in some of America’s biggest cities, GOBankingRates found the annual cost of expenditures for a retired person in each city by multiplying expenditures for people 65 and up from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey by the cost-of-living index for each city from Sperling’s BestPlaces. To find how much money a retired person would need to save, we divided each city’s annual expenditures, minus the annual Social Security income as sourced from the Social Security Administration’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot in May 2024, by 0.0333%, 0.04% and 0.05% — assuming 20, 25 and 30 years of retirement respectively. To determine how much one would need to retire rich, GOBankingRates took the 20-, 25- and 30-year minimums and doubled those amounts. All data was collected on and is up to date as of June 17, 2024.
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