What is the 4% rule for retirement?

The 4% rule is the most widely-used baseline in retirement planning, based on the 1998 Trinity Study. It found that withdrawing 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation, gave a high probability of the money lasting 30+ years. To find a FIRE number, multiply annual expenses by 25. Note that the original study assumed a 30-year retirement - early retirees facing 40-60 year horizons may need a lower withdrawal rate.

Data Analysis

FIRE Number by City

Q: How accurate are these FIRE numbers?

These are estimates, not predictions. They are based on official Bureau of Economic Analysis data and assume average spending patterns for a single adult household. Actual individual expenses vary significantly based on lifestyle, housing situation, healthcare needs, family size, and personal preferences. Use these as reference points for comparison, not as personal financial targets without adjustment.

Q: What is geographic arbitrage for FIRE?

Geographic arbitrage (geo-arbitrage) is a strategy where people earn income in a high-wage area but spend or plan to spend in a lower-cost area. This can dramatically reduce the amount needed for financial independence.

How much does a person really need to retire early? It depends on location. Explore FIRE numbers for every major U.S. metro area.

Analysis at a Glance

Data Source Bureau of Economic Analysis - Regional Price Parities

Data Year 2023

Baseline $60,000 annual expenses (single adult household)

Method 4% withdrawal rate applied to regional cost-adjusted expenses

Sample Size 384 U.S. metro areas

Considerations

Estimates only - actual individual expenses vary significantly based on lifestyle
Does not include state/local tax differences
Assumes single adult household - couples with shared housing may need less
Metro-level averages mask significant intra-metro variation (e.g., downtown vs. suburbs)

Last updated: January 4, 2026 Full Methodology ›

Key Findings

Estimates based on 384 U.S. metro areas using BEA cost-of-living data and the 4% withdrawal rate. These are reference points for comparison - actual individual FIRE numbers depend on personal spending, lifestyle, and circumstances.

$1.39M

National Median FIRE Number Half of all metros require more, half require less. Based on $60K baseline annual spending adjusted for local costs.

$1.20M

Lowest: Pine Bluff, AR Cost of living is 80.3% of national average - goods and services cost 20% less here.

$1.77M

Highest: San Francisco, CA Cost of living is 118.2% of national average - expect to pay 18% more for everything.

1.5x

Cost Difference The most expensive metro requires $569K more than the cheapest - that's years of extra saving.

$1.36M

Cheapest Region: Midwest Average across 92 metros. Lower housing costs and general affordability drive this region's advantage.

$1.51M

Priciest Region: West Average across 86 metros. High housing costs in major cities pull up the regional average.

Metros Under $1.30M 6% of metros have FIRE numbers below this threshold (RPP ~87 or lower) - mostly in the Midwest and Midwest.

$383K

High-to-Median Cost Spread The difference between San Francisco and a median-cost metro. Actual savings from relocation depend on individual circumstances.

Complete Data Table

Search, filter, and sort to find FIRE numbers for any U.S. metro area. Download data for your own analysis.

#	Metro Area	State	Region	FIRE Number	Annual Expenses	Cost Index
1	Pine Bluff	AR	South	$1,204,500	$48,180/yr	80.3
2	Monroe	LA	South	$1,254,000	$50,160/yr	83.6
3	Fort Smith	AR	South	$1,276,500	$51,060/yr	85.1
4	Brownsville	TX	South	$1,278,000	$51,120/yr	85.2
5	Texarkana	TX	South	$1,279,500	$51,180/yr	85.3
6	Kingsport	TN	South	$1,281,000	$51,240/yr	85.4
7	Florence	AL	South	$1,284,000	$51,360/yr	85.6
8	Joplin	MO	Midwest	$1,284,000	$51,360/yr	85.6
9	McAllen	TX	South	$1,284,000	$51,360/yr	85.6
10	Jonesboro	AR	South	$1,285,500	$51,420/yr	85.7
11	Cumberland	MD	South	$1,287,000	$51,480/yr	85.8
12	Hot Springs	AR	South	$1,287,000	$51,480/yr	85.8
13	Topeka	KS	Midwest	$1,288,500	$51,540/yr	85.9
14	Youngstown	OH	Midwest	$1,290,000	$51,600/yr	86
15	Enid	OK	South	$1,291,500	$51,660/yr	86.1
16	Alexandria	LA	South	$1,293,000	$51,720/yr	86.2
17	Grand Forks	ND	Midwest	$1,293,000	$51,720/yr	86.2
18	Sumter	SC	South	$1,293,000	$51,720/yr	86.2
19	Cape Girardeau	MO	Midwest	$1,294,500	$51,780/yr	86.3
20	Albany	GA	South	$1,296,000	$51,840/yr	86.4
21	Farmington	NM	West	$1,297,500	$51,900/yr	86.5
22	Decatur	IL	Midwest	$1,299,000	$51,960/yr	86.6
23	Mansfield	OH	Midwest	$1,299,000	$51,960/yr	86.6
24	Lake Charles	LA	South	$1,300,500	$52,020/yr	86.7
25	Sierra Vista	AZ	West	$1,300,500	$52,020/yr	86.7
26	Valdosta	GA	South	$1,300,500	$52,020/yr	86.7
27	Danville	IL	Midwest	$1,302,000	$52,080/yr	86.8
28	Duluth	MN	Midwest	$1,305,000	$52,200/yr	87
29	Gadsden	AL	South	$1,305,000	$52,200/yr	87
30	Lafayette	LA	South	$1,305,000	$52,200/yr	87
31	Shreveport	LA	South	$1,306,500	$52,260/yr	87.1
32	Anniston	AL	South	$1,308,000	$52,320/yr	87.2
33	Carbondale	IL	Midwest	$1,308,000	$52,320/yr	87.2
34	Lewiston	ID	West	$1,308,000	$52,320/yr	87.2
35	Grand Island	NE	Midwest	$1,309,500	$52,380/yr	87.3
36	Jackson	TN	South	$1,309,500	$52,380/yr	87.3
37	Hammond	LA	South	$1,312,500	$52,500/yr	87.5
38	Yuma	AZ	West	$1,312,500	$52,500/yr	87.5
39	Lawton	OK	South	$1,314,000	$52,560/yr	87.6
40	Lima	OH	Midwest	$1,314,000	$52,560/yr	87.6
41	Mankato	MN	Midwest	$1,314,000	$52,560/yr	87.6
42	Jefferson City	MO	Midwest	$1,315,500	$52,620/yr	87.7
43	Morristown	TN	South	$1,315,500	$52,620/yr	87.7
44	Laredo	TX	South	$1,317,000	$52,680/yr	87.8
45	Pocatello	ID	West	$1,317,000	$52,680/yr	87.8
46	St. Joseph	MO	Midwest	$1,317,000	$52,680/yr	87.8
47	Florence	SC	South	$1,320,000	$52,800/yr	88
48	Waterloo	IA	Midwest	$1,320,000	$52,800/yr	88
49	Johnstown	PA	Northeast	$1,321,500	$52,860/yr	88.1
50	Sioux City	IA	Midwest	$1,321,500	$52,860/yr	88.1
51	Altoona	PA	Northeast	$1,323,000	$52,920/yr	88.2
52	Battle Creek	MI	Midwest	$1,323,000	$52,920/yr	88.2
53	Parkersburg	WV	South	$1,323,000	$52,920/yr	88.2
54	Rocky Mount	NC	South	$1,323,000	$52,920/yr	88.2
55	Terre Haute	IN	Midwest	$1,323,000	$52,920/yr	88.2
56	Dothan	AL	South	$1,324,500	$52,980/yr	88.3
57	Charleston	WV	South	$1,326,000	$53,040/yr	88.4
58	Huntington	WV	South	$1,326,000	$53,040/yr	88.4
59	Longview	TX	South	$1,326,000	$53,040/yr	88.4
60	Canton	OH	Midwest	$1,327,500	$53,100/yr	88.5
61	Houma	LA	South	$1,329,000	$53,160/yr	88.6
62	Peoria	IL	Midwest	$1,329,000	$53,160/yr	88.6
63	Twin Falls	ID	West	$1,329,000	$53,160/yr	88.6
64	Springfield	OH	Midwest	$1,330,500	$53,220/yr	88.7
65	Columbus	GA	South	$1,332,000	$53,280/yr	88.8
66	Muncie	IN	Midwest	$1,332,000	$53,280/yr	88.8
67	Weirton	WV	South	$1,332,000	$53,280/yr	88.8
68	Auburn	AL	South	$1,333,500	$53,340/yr	88.9
69	Johnson City	TN	South	$1,333,500	$53,340/yr	88.9
70	Wichita Falls	TX	South	$1,333,500	$53,340/yr	88.9
71	Wheeling	WV	South	$1,335,000	$53,400/yr	89
72	Dubuque	IA	Midwest	$1,336,500	$53,460/yr	89.1
73	Little Rock	AR	South	$1,336,500	$53,460/yr	89.1
74	Hickory	NC	South	$1,338,000	$53,520/yr	89.2
75	Columbia	MO	Midwest	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
76	Davenport	IA	Midwest	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
77	Gulfport	MS	South	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
78	Hattiesburg	MS	South	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
79	Las Cruces	NM	West	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
80	Saginaw	MI	Midwest	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
81	St. Cloud	MN	Midwest	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
82	Springfield	MO	Midwest	$1,339,500	$53,580/yr	89.3
83	Elizabethtown	KY	South	$1,341,000	$53,640/yr	89.4
84	Fargo	ND	Midwest	$1,341,000	$53,640/yr	89.4
85	Mobile	AL	South	$1,341,000	$53,640/yr	89.4
86	Tulsa	OK	South	$1,342,500	$53,700/yr	89.5
87	Wichita	KS	Midwest	$1,342,500	$53,700/yr	89.5
88	Beckley	WV	South	$1,344,000	$53,760/yr	89.6
89	Billings	MT	West	$1,344,000	$53,760/yr	89.6
90	Bismarck	ND	Midwest	$1,344,000	$53,760/yr	89.6
91	Brunswick	GA	South	$1,345,500	$53,820/yr	89.7
92	Goldsboro	NC	South	$1,345,500	$53,820/yr	89.7
93	Kokomo	IN	Midwest	$1,345,500	$53,820/yr	89.7
94	Niles	MI	Midwest	$1,345,500	$53,820/yr	89.7
95	Abilene	TX	South	$1,347,000	$53,880/yr	89.8
96	Evansville	IN	Midwest	$1,347,000	$53,880/yr	89.8
97	Flint	MI	Midwest	$1,347,000	$53,880/yr	89.8
98	Idaho Falls	ID	West	$1,348,500	$53,940/yr	89.9
99	Lake Havasu City	AZ	West	$1,348,500	$53,940/yr	89.9
100	New Bern	NC	South	$1,348,500	$53,940/yr	89.9
101	Cedar Rapids	IA	Midwest	$1,350,000	$54,000/yr	90
102	Fort Wayne	IN	Midwest	$1,350,000	$54,000/yr	90
103	Macon	GA	South	$1,350,000	$54,000/yr	90
104	Owensboro	KY	South	$1,350,000	$54,000/yr	90
105	Tuscaloosa	AL	South	$1,350,000	$54,000/yr	90
106	Decatur	AL	South	$1,351,500	$54,060/yr	90.1
107	Rockford	IL	Midwest	$1,351,500	$54,060/yr	90.1
108	Wausau	WI	Midwest	$1,351,500	$54,060/yr	90.1
109	Beaumont	TX	South	$1,353,000	$54,120/yr	90.2
110	El Paso	TX	South	$1,353,000	$54,120/yr	90.2
111	Rome	GA	South	$1,353,000	$54,120/yr	90.2
112	Bloomsburg	PA	Northeast	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
113	Columbus	IN	Midwest	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
114	Dalton	GA	South	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
115	Lynchburg	VA	South	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
116	Manhattan	KS	Midwest	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
117	Rapid City	SD	Midwest	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
118	Sioux Falls	SD	Midwest	$1,354,500	$54,180/yr	90.3
119	Toledo	OH	Midwest	$1,356,000	$54,240/yr	90.4
120	Bowling Green	KY	South	$1,357,500	$54,300/yr	90.5
121	Springfield	IL	Midwest	$1,357,500	$54,300/yr	90.5
122	Watertown	NY	Northeast	$1,357,500	$54,300/yr	90.5
123	Bay City	MI	Midwest	$1,359,000	$54,360/yr	90.6
124	Midland	MI	Midwest	$1,359,000	$54,360/yr	90.6
125	Spartanburg	SC	South	$1,359,000	$54,360/yr	90.6
126	Victoria	TX	South	$1,359,000	$54,360/yr	90.6
127	Blacksburg	VA	South	$1,360,500	$54,420/yr	90.7
128	College Station	TX	South	$1,360,500	$54,420/yr	90.7
129	Jackson	MS	South	$1,360,500	$54,420/yr	90.7
130	Oshkosh	WI	Midwest	$1,360,500	$54,420/yr	90.7
131	Amarillo	TX	South	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
132	Baton Rouge	LA	South	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
133	Champaign	IL	Midwest	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
134	Montgomery	AL	South	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
135	Sheboygan	WI	Midwest	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
136	Waco	TX	South	$1,362,000	$54,480/yr	90.8
137	Cheyenne	WY	West	$1,363,500	$54,540/yr	90.9
138	Cleveland	TN	South	$1,363,500	$54,540/yr	90.9
139	Lubbock	TX	South	$1,363,500	$54,540/yr	90.9
140	Roanoke	VA	South	$1,363,500	$54,540/yr	90.9
141	San Angelo	TX	South	$1,363,500	$54,540/yr	90.9
142	Augusta	GA	South	$1,365,000	$54,600/yr	91
143	Fayetteville	AR	South	$1,365,000	$54,600/yr	91
144	Lawrence	KS	Midwest	$1,365,000	$54,600/yr	91
145	Oklahoma City	OK	South	$1,365,000	$54,600/yr	91
146	New Orleans	LA	South	$1,366,500	$54,660/yr	91.1
147	Corpus Christi	TX	South	$1,369,500	$54,780/yr	91.3
148	Flagstaff	AZ	West	$1,369,500	$54,780/yr	91.3
149	La Crosse	WI	Midwest	$1,369,500	$54,780/yr	91.3
150	Sebring	FL	South	$1,369,500	$54,780/yr	91.3
151	Ames	IA	Midwest	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
152	Eau Claire	WI	Midwest	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
153	Fayetteville	NC	South	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
154	Janesville	WI	Midwest	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
155	South Bend	IN	Midwest	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
156	Winston	NC	South	$1,371,000	$54,840/yr	91.4
157	Bangor	ME	Northeast	$1,372,500	$54,900/yr	91.5
158	Erie	PA	Northeast	$1,372,500	$54,900/yr	91.5
159	Lafayette	IN	Midwest	$1,372,500	$54,900/yr	91.5
160	Binghamton	NY	Northeast	$1,374,000	$54,960/yr	91.6
161	Greenville	NC	South	$1,374,000	$54,960/yr	91.6
162	Jacksonville	NC	South	$1,374,000	$54,960/yr	91.6
163	Warner Robins	GA	South	$1,374,000	$54,960/yr	91.6
164	Dover	DE	South	$1,375,500	$55,020/yr	91.7
165	Muskegon	MI	Midwest	$1,375,500	$55,020/yr	91.7
166	Casper	WY	West	$1,377,000	$55,080/yr	91.8
167	Iowa City	IA	Midwest	$1,377,000	$55,080/yr	91.8
168	Killeen	TX	South	$1,377,000	$55,080/yr	91.8
169	Sherman	TX	South	$1,377,000	$55,080/yr	91.8
170	Bloomington	IL	Midwest	$1,380,000	$55,200/yr	92
171	Lincoln	NE	Midwest	$1,380,000	$55,200/yr	92
172	Clarksville	TN	South	$1,381,500	$55,260/yr	92.1
173	Grand Junction	CO	West	$1,381,500	$55,260/yr	92.1
174	Green Bay	WI	Midwest	$1,381,500	$55,260/yr	92.1
175	Michigan City	IN	Midwest	$1,381,500	$55,260/yr	92.1
176	Odessa	TX	South	$1,381,500	$55,260/yr	92.1
177	Elmira	NY	Northeast	$1,383,000	$55,320/yr	92.2
178	Dayton	OH	Midwest	$1,384,500	$55,380/yr	92.3
179	Kankakee	IL	Midwest	$1,384,500	$55,380/yr	92.3
180	Morgantown	WV	South	$1,384,500	$55,380/yr	92.3
181	Utica	NY	Northeast	$1,384,500	$55,380/yr	92.3
182	Memphis	TN	South	$1,386,000	$55,440/yr	92.4
183	Pueblo	CO	West	$1,386,000	$55,440/yr	92.4
184	Tyler	TX	South	$1,386,000	$55,440/yr	92.4
185	Omaha	NE	Midwest	$1,387,500	$55,500/yr	92.5
186	Birmingham	AL	South	$1,389,000	$55,560/yr	92.6
187	Elkhart	IN	Midwest	$1,389,000	$55,560/yr	92.6
188	Great Falls	MT	West	$1,389,000	$55,560/yr	92.6
189	Staunton	VA	South	$1,389,000	$55,560/yr	92.6
190	Burlington	NC	South	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
191	Des Moines	IA	Midwest	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
192	Gettysburg	PA	Northeast	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
193	Greensboro	NC	South	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
194	Jackson	MI	Midwest	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
195	Williamsport	PA	Northeast	$1,390,500	$55,620/yr	92.7
196	Akron	OH	Midwest	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
197	Chattanooga	TN	South	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
198	Fond du Lac	WI	Midwest	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
199	Greenville	SC	South	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
200	Knoxville	TN	South	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
201	Lansing	MI	Midwest	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
202	Myrtle Beach	SC	South	$1,392,000	$55,680/yr	92.8
203	Columbia	SC	South	$1,393,500	$55,740/yr	92.9
204	Logan	UT	West	$1,393,500	$55,740/yr	92.9
205	Albuquerque	NM	West	$1,395,000	$55,800/yr	93
206	Cleveland	OH	Midwest	$1,395,000	$55,800/yr	93
207	Pittsfield	MA	Northeast	$1,395,000	$55,800/yr	93
208	Scranton	PA	Northeast	$1,395,000	$55,800/yr	93
209	Lexington	KY	South	$1,396,500	$55,860/yr	93.1
210	Missoula	MT	West	$1,396,500	$55,860/yr	93.1
211	Rochester	MN	Midwest	$1,396,500	$55,860/yr	93.1
212	Harrisonburg	VA	South	$1,398,000	$55,920/yr	93.2
213	Monroe	MI	Midwest	$1,398,000	$55,920/yr	93.2
214	State College	PA	Northeast	$1,398,000	$55,920/yr	93.2
215	Athens	GA	South	$1,399,500	$55,980/yr	93.3
216	Kansas City	MO	Midwest	$1,399,500	$55,980/yr	93.3
217	Bloomington	IN	Midwest	$1,401,000	$56,040/yr	93.4
218	Boise City	ID	West	$1,401,000	$56,040/yr	93.4
219	Santa Fe	NM	West	$1,401,000	$56,040/yr	93.4
220	Appleton	WI	Midwest	$1,404,000	$56,160/yr	93.6
221	Glens Falls	NY	Northeast	$1,404,000	$56,160/yr	93.6
222	San Antonio	TX	South	$1,405,500	$56,220/yr	93.7
223	Vineland	NJ	Northeast	$1,405,500	$56,220/yr	93.7
224	Chambersburg	PA	Northeast	$1,408,500	$56,340/yr	93.9
225	Hinesville	GA	South	$1,408,500	$56,340/yr	93.9
226	Kalamazoo	MI	Midwest	$1,410,000	$56,400/yr	94
227	Louisville/Jefferson County	KY	South	$1,410,000	$56,400/yr	94
228	Carson City	NV	West	$1,411,500	$56,460/yr	94.1
229	Cincinnati	OH	Midwest	$1,411,500	$56,460/yr	94.1
230	The Villages	FL	South	$1,414,500	$56,580/yr	94.3
231	Tucson	AZ	West	$1,414,500	$56,580/yr	94.3
232	Winchester	VA	South	$1,414,500	$56,580/yr	94.3
233	Buffalo	NY	Northeast	$1,416,000	$56,640/yr	94.4
234	Huntsville	AL	South	$1,416,000	$56,640/yr	94.4
235	Pittsburgh	PA	Northeast	$1,416,000	$56,640/yr	94.4
236	Columbus	OH	Midwest	$1,417,500	$56,700/yr	94.5
237	Indianapolis	IN	Midwest	$1,419,000	$56,760/yr	94.6
238	Daphne	AL	South	$1,420,500	$56,820/yr	94.7
239	Midland	TX	South	$1,422,000	$56,880/yr	94.8
240	Prescott Valley	AZ	West	$1,425,000	$57,000/yr	95
241	Provo	UT	West	$1,425,000	$57,000/yr	95
242	Racine	WI	Midwest	$1,425,000	$57,000/yr	95
243	Hagerstown	MD	South	$1,426,500	$57,060/yr	95.1
244	Ogden	UT	West	$1,426,500	$57,060/yr	95.1
245	Salisbury	MD	South	$1,426,500	$57,060/yr	95.1
246	Grand Rapids	MI	Midwest	$1,428,000	$57,120/yr	95.2
247	Syracuse	NY	Northeast	$1,428,000	$57,120/yr	95.2
248	Lebanon	PA	Northeast	$1,429,500	$57,180/yr	95.3
249	Tallahassee	FL	South	$1,429,500	$57,180/yr	95.3
250	Homosassa Springs	FL	South	$1,431,000	$57,240/yr	95.4
251	Milwaukee	WI	Midwest	$1,432,500	$57,300/yr	95.5
252	Ocala	FL	South	$1,432,500	$57,300/yr	95.5
253	Pensacola	FL	South	$1,434,000	$57,360/yr	95.6
254	Savannah	GA	South	$1,434,000	$57,360/yr	95.6
255	East Stroudsburg	PA	Northeast	$1,435,500	$57,420/yr	95.7
256	Hilton Head Island	SC	South	$1,435,500	$57,420/yr	95.7
257	Madison	WI	Midwest	$1,437,000	$57,480/yr	95.8
258	Greeley	CO	West	$1,440,000	$57,600/yr	96
259	Reading	PA	Northeast	$1,440,000	$57,600/yr	96
260	Asheville	NC	South	$1,441,500	$57,660/yr	96.1
261	Gainesville	GA	South	$1,441,500	$57,660/yr	96.1
262	St. George	UT	West	$1,441,500	$57,660/yr	96.1
263	Lancaster	PA	Northeast	$1,444,500	$57,780/yr	96.3
264	St. Louis	MO	Midwest	$1,444,500	$57,780/yr	96.3
265	Salt Lake City	UT	West	$1,446,000	$57,840/yr	96.4
266	Harrisburg	PA	Northeast	$1,447,500	$57,900/yr	96.5
267	Durham	NC	South	$1,449,000	$57,960/yr	96.6
268	Fort Collins	CO	West	$1,449,000	$57,960/yr	96.6
269	York	PA	Northeast	$1,449,000	$57,960/yr	96.6
270	Coeur d'Alene	ID	West	$1,453,500	$58,140/yr	96.9
271	Gainesville	FL	South	$1,453,500	$58,140/yr	96.9
272	Sebastian	FL	South	$1,453,500	$58,140/yr	96.9
273	Charlotte	NC	South	$1,455,000	$58,200/yr	97
274	Wilmington	NC	South	$1,456,500	$58,260/yr	97.1
275	Atlantic City	NJ	Northeast	$1,458,000	$58,320/yr	97.2
276	Colorado Springs	CO	West	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
277	Lakeland	FL	South	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
278	Las Vegas	NV	West	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
279	Nashville	TN	South	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
280	Reno	NV	West	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
281	Virginia Beach	VA	South	$1,461,000	$58,440/yr	97.4
282	Albany	NY	Northeast	$1,464,000	$58,560/yr	97.6
283	Austin	TX	South	$1,464,000	$58,560/yr	97.6
284	Rochester	NY	Northeast	$1,465,500	$58,620/yr	97.7
285	Ann Arbor	MI	Midwest	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
286	Crestview	FL	South	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
287	Detroit	MI	Midwest	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
288	Panama City	FL	South	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
289	Raleigh	NC	South	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
290	Richmond	VA	South	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
291	Walla Walla	WA	West	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
292	Yakima	WA	West	$1,470,000	$58,800/yr	98
293	Allentown	PA	Northeast	$1,476,000	$59,040/yr	98.4
294	Hanford	CA	West	$1,476,000	$59,040/yr	98.4
295	Punta Gorda	FL	South	$1,476,000	$59,040/yr	98.4
296	Springfield	MA	Northeast	$1,476,000	$59,040/yr	98.4
297	Charlottesville	VA	South	$1,479,000	$59,160/yr	98.6
298	Deltona	FL	South	$1,480,500	$59,220/yr	98.7
299	Ithaca	NY	Northeast	$1,483,500	$59,340/yr	98.9
300	Kennewick	WA	West	$1,485,000	$59,400/yr	99
301	Kingston	NY	Northeast	$1,485,000	$59,400/yr	99
302	Jacksonville	FL	South	$1,488,000	$59,520/yr	99.2
303	Fairbanks	AK	West	$1,491,000	$59,640/yr	99.4
304	Longview	WA	West	$1,491,000	$59,640/yr	99.4
305	Merced	CA	West	$1,492,500	$59,700/yr	99.5
306	Boulder	CO	West	$1,498,500	$59,940/yr	99.9
307	Burlington	VT	Northeast	$1,500,000	$60,000/yr	100
308	El Centro	CA	West	$1,501,500	$60,060/yr	100.1
309	Lewiston	ME	Northeast	$1,501,500	$60,060/yr	100.1
310	California	MD	South	$1,503,000	$60,120/yr	100.2
311	Houston	TX	South	$1,503,000	$60,120/yr	100.2
312	Norwich	CT	Northeast	$1,506,000	$60,240/yr	100.4
313	Charleston	SC	South	$1,509,000	$60,360/yr	100.6
314	Grants Pass	OR	West	$1,510,500	$60,420/yr	100.7
315	Palm Bay	FL	South	$1,512,000	$60,480/yr	100.8
316	Atlanta	GA	South	$1,513,500	$60,540/yr	100.9
317	Providence	RI	Northeast	$1,513,500	$60,540/yr	100.9
318	Spokane	WA	West	$1,515,000	$60,600/yr	101
319	Orlando	FL	South	$1,516,500	$60,660/yr	101.1
320	Visalia	CA	West	$1,519,500	$60,780/yr	101.3
321	Ocean City	NJ	Northeast	$1,522,500	$60,900/yr	101.5
322	Port St. Lucie	FL	South	$1,525,500	$61,020/yr	101.7
323	Wenatchee	WA	West	$1,530,000	$61,200/yr	102
324	Worcester	MA	Northeast	$1,530,000	$61,200/yr	102
325	Trenton	NJ	Northeast	$1,531,500	$61,260/yr	102.1
326	Bakersfield	CA	West	$1,533,000	$61,320/yr	102.2
327	Salem	OR	West	$1,536,000	$61,440/yr	102.4
328	Cape Coral	FL	South	$1,539,000	$61,560/yr	102.6
329	Chicago	IL	Midwest	$1,539,000	$61,560/yr	102.6
330	Hartford	CT	Northeast	$1,539,000	$61,560/yr	102.6
331	Baltimore	MD	South	$1,540,500	$61,620/yr	102.7
332	Redding	CA	West	$1,542,000	$61,680/yr	102.8
333	Madera	CA	West	$1,543,500	$61,740/yr	102.9
334	Dallas	TX	South	$1,549,500	$61,980/yr	103.3
335	Medford	OR	West	$1,549,500	$61,980/yr	103.3
336	Tampa	FL	South	$1,551,000	$62,040/yr	103.4
337	Eugene	OR	West	$1,552,500	$62,100/yr	103.5
338	New Haven	CT	Northeast	$1,552,500	$62,100/yr	103.5
339	Philadelphia	PA	Northeast	$1,552,500	$62,100/yr	103.5
340	North Port	FL	South	$1,554,000	$62,160/yr	103.6
341	Portland	ME	Northeast	$1,554,000	$62,160/yr	103.6
342	Yuba City	CA	West	$1,554,000	$62,160/yr	103.6
343	Fresno	CA	West	$1,560,000	$62,400/yr	104
344	Bellingham	WA	West	$1,561,500	$62,460/yr	104.1
345	Anchorage	AK	West	$1,567,500	$62,700/yr	104.5
346	Minneapolis	MN	Midwest	$1,567,500	$62,700/yr	104.5
347	Albany	OR	West	$1,569,000	$62,760/yr	104.6
348	Chico	CA	West	$1,569,000	$62,760/yr	104.6
349	Modesto	CA	West	$1,575,000	$63,000/yr	105
350	Manchester	NH	Northeast	$1,576,500	$63,060/yr	105.1
351	Denver	CO	West	$1,582,500	$63,300/yr	105.5
352	Phoenix	AZ	West	$1,582,500	$63,300/yr	105.5
353	Barnstable Town	MA	Northeast	$1,587,000	$63,480/yr	105.8
354	Bend	OR	West	$1,587,000	$63,480/yr	105.8
355	Naples	FL	South	$1,587,000	$63,480/yr	105.8
356	Mount Vernon	WA	West	$1,590,000	$63,600/yr	106
357	Kahului	HI	West	$1,594,500	$63,780/yr	106.3
358	Corvallis	OR	West	$1,596,000	$63,840/yr	106.4
359	Bridgeport	CT	Northeast	$1,597,500	$63,900/yr	106.5
360	Olympia	WA	West	$1,597,500	$63,900/yr	106.5
361	Portland	OR	West	$1,599,000	$63,960/yr	106.6
362	Stockton	CA	West	$1,611,000	$64,440/yr	107.4
363	Bremerton	WA	West	$1,612,500	$64,500/yr	107.5
364	Riverside	CA	West	$1,618,500	$64,740/yr	107.9
365	Washington	DC	South	$1,629,000	$65,160/yr	108.6
366	Sacramento	CA	West	$1,633,500	$65,340/yr	108.9
367	Vallejo	CA	West	$1,638,000	$65,520/yr	109.2
368	Poughkeepsie	NY	Northeast	$1,645,500	$65,820/yr	109.7
369	Santa Rosa	CA	West	$1,651,500	$66,060/yr	110.1
370	Urban Honolulu	HI	West	$1,653,000	$66,120/yr	110.2
371	San Luis Obispo	CA	West	$1,662,000	$66,480/yr	110.8
372	San Diego	CA	West	$1,672,500	$66,900/yr	111.5
373	Boston	MA	Northeast	$1,674,000	$66,960/yr	111.6
374	Miami	FL	South	$1,677,000	$67,080/yr	111.8
375	Napa	CA	West	$1,677,000	$67,080/yr	111.8
376	New York	NY	Northeast	$1,687,500	$67,500/yr	112.5
377	Santa Cruz	CA	West	$1,689,000	$67,560/yr	112.6
378	San Jose	CA	West	$1,693,500	$67,740/yr	112.9
379	Salinas	CA	West	$1,695,000	$67,800/yr	113
380	Seattle	WA	West	$1,695,000	$67,800/yr	113
381	Oxnard	CA	West	$1,702,500	$68,100/yr	113.5
382	Santa Maria	CA	West	$1,702,500	$68,100/yr	113.5
383	Los Angeles	CA	West	$1,732,500	$69,300/yr	115.5
384	San Francisco	CA	West	$1,773,000	$70,920/yr	118.2

FIRE Numbers Across America

Average FIRE number by state based on metro area data. Hover over a state for details.

Average FIRE Number

< $1.38M

$1.38M - $1.44M

$1.44M - $1.52M

> $1.52M

No data

Loading map...

FIRE Numbers at a Glance

Top 10 Most Affordable Metros

Lowest FIRE numbers in the U.S.

Top 10 Most Expensive Metros

Highest FIRE numbers in the U.S.

Calculate Your Metro's FIRE Number

Select a metro area to see how much you need for financial independence.

Metro Area

Annual Spending (National Baseline)

This baseline is adjusted by each metro's cost of living

Withdrawal Rate

4% is the standard rule; adjust for your risk tolerance

Select a metro area

Lean FIRE - -

Regular FIRE - -

Fat FIRE - -

National Median Your Metro

Understanding FIRE Types

Lean FIRE

80% of typical expenses. Frugal lifestyle with minimal discretionary spending.

Regular FIRE

100% of typical expenses. Comfortable lifestyle matching your current spending.

Fat FIRE

150% of typical expenses at a conservative 3% withdrawal rate for extra security.

Regional Insights

South & Midwest Lead for Affordability

The most affordable metros for FIRE are concentrated in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. The cheapest (Pine Bluff, AR) has an RPP of 80.3 - meaning costs are 20% below the national average.

Coastal Premium is Real

California metros dominate the most expensive list. San Francisco requires a FIRE number 28% above the national median - that's $383K more than a typical metro, or $569K more than the cheapest.

Wide Variation Within Regions

Even within regions, there's significant variation. The South includes both affordable metros like Pine Bluff, AR and expensive ones like Miami and Washington, D.C. Individual metro selection matters more than region alone.

Geographic Arbitrage: Location as a Variable in FIRE Planning

Geographic arbitrage - sometimes called geo-arbitrage - is a strategy where people earn income in a high-wage area but spend (or plan to spend) in a lower-cost area. This approach has gained attention in the FIRE community as one way to reduce the amount needed for financial independence.

The concept works in several ways. Some people work remotely from low-cost metros while earning salaries calibrated to expensive cities. Others build their careers in high-income areas, then relocate once they've accumulated enough. And some plan to split time between locations - spending winters in affordable Southern metros, for example.

The numbers in this index show the potential magnitude: moving from San Francisco (RPP: 118.2) to a metro like Fort Smith could reduce a FIRE target by $497K on paper. Whether this makes sense depends on many individual factors.

Things to Consider Before Relocating

Cost of living isn't the only factor in location decisions. Some things worth thinking about:

Career opportunities: Remote work has expanded options, but some industries still concentrate in specific metros. A lower cost of living may not help if income drops proportionally.
Social connections: Family, friends, and community ties have real value that doesn't show up in FIRE calculations. Some people find that staying near loved ones is worth a higher FIRE number.
Healthcare access: Regional Price Parities include healthcare costs, but availability of specialists and quality of care varies. This becomes more important for early retirees who need to bridge the gap before Medicare.
Climate and lifestyle: Lower-cost metros may have different weather, outdoor recreation options, cultural amenities, or urban density than what one is used to.
State taxes: This index focuses on cost of living, not taxes. States without income tax (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington) may offer additional savings, while high-tax states could offset some cost-of-living advantages.

Lean FIRE vs. Regular FIRE vs. Fat FIRE

The FIRE community recognizes that "financial independence" means different things to different people. Three common categories have emerged to describe different approaches:

Note: The 80% (Lean), 100% (Regular), and 150% (Fat) expense multipliers are conventions from FIRE community discussions, not empirically-derived standards. They provide useful reference points but individual needs vary.

Lean FIRE

Target: $964K - $1.4M

Lean FIRE means achieving financial independence with minimal expenses - typically spending 20% below average for an area. This path suits people who are naturally frugal, enjoy simple living, or want to reach FI as quickly as possible.

The tradeoff is less flexibility. Lean FIRE budgets leave little room for unexpected expenses, travel splurges, or lifestyle inflation. It works best for people confident they can maintain frugal habits long-term.

Regular FIRE

Target: $1205K - $1.8M

Regular FIRE - sometimes called "traditional" or "standard" FIRE - means covering typical expenses for an area indefinitely. This is the baseline shown throughout this index and represents a comfortable middle-class lifestyle.

Most FIRE calculators and discussions assume regular FIRE unless specified otherwise. It provides a reasonable buffer while still being achievable for many high-income earners within 10-20 years.

Fat FIRE

Target: $2385K - $3.5M

Fat FIRE means achieving financial independence with above-average spending - typically 50% more than regular FIRE. This allows for a more luxurious lifestyle: nicer housing, more travel, dining out, and hobbies without budget constraints.

Fat FIRE takes longer to achieve but offers more security and flexibility. It's popular among people who enjoy their careers and don't mind working longer, or those with high incomes who can save aggressively while still living well.

What is a FIRE Number?

A FIRE number is the amount of money a person needs invested to achieve financial independence and potentially retire early. It's calculated by multiplying annual expenses by 25 (based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate).

But here's the thing - expenses vary dramatically based on location. Someone in McAllen, Texas needs far less to retire than someone in San Jose, California. This index shows exactly how much FIRE numbers vary across the country.

The 4% Rule Explained

The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study, which analyzed historical market returns to determine a safe withdrawal rate for retirees. The research found that withdrawing 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation each year after, gave a high probability of the money lasting 30+ years.

To find a FIRE number using this rule, divide annual expenses by 0.04 - or simply multiply by 25. Someone spending $60,000 per year would have a FIRE number of $1,500,000. But that $60,000 buys very different lifestyles depending on location.

Why Location Matters for Financial Independence

The Bureau of Economic Analysis tracks Regional Price Parities (RPP) for every U.S. metro area. These indices measure how much prices differ from the national average. A metro with an RPP of 85 means goods and services cost 15% less than average, while an RPP of 120 means they cost 20% more.

These differences compound significantly when calculating FIRE numbers. A 20% lower cost of living doesn't just save 20% - it reduces a FIRE target by hundreds of thousands of dollars because less needs to be invested to generate the same lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are these FIRE numbers?

These are estimates, not predictions. They're based on official Bureau of Economic Analysis data and assume average spending patterns for a single adult household. Actual individual expenses vary significantly based on lifestyle, housing situation, healthcare needs, family size, and personal preferences. Use these as reference points for comparison, not as personal financial targets without adjustment.

Why do some metros have much higher FIRE numbers than others?

Cost of living varies significantly across the U.S. Housing is the biggest factor - metros with expensive real estate (coastal California, New York, Hawaii) have much higher overall costs. But food, healthcare, transportation, and services also differ by region. The RPP index captures all of these differences.

Do these numbers include taxes?

The Regional Price Parities focus on the cost of goods and services, not taxes. State and local taxes can significantly affect actual expenses. States like Texas and Florida have no income tax, while California and New York have high rates. Consider tax implications separately when comparing metros.

What's the baseline annual spending used in these calculations?

We use $60,000 as the national baseline for annual expenses, then adjust up or down based on each metro's Regional Price Parity. The calculator above allows entering a custom spending amount to see personalized FIRE numbers.

Is the 4% rule still valid?

The 4% rule is the most widely-used baseline in retirement planning, but it has limitations. The original 1998 Trinity Study used 1926-1995 market data and assumed a 30-year retirement. For early retirees facing 40-60 year horizons, some researchers (including Wade Pfau and others) suggest 3.5% or lower may be more appropriate.

We use 4% as the standard reference point because it's most recognized. The calculator above allows adjusting the withdrawal rate - try 3.5% to see how much larger a portfolio would be needed for a more conservative approach.

How often is this data updated?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis releases Regional Price Parities annually, typically in December for the previous year. We update this index when new data becomes available. The current data is from 2023.

Cite This Analysis

Using this data in your work? Here are ready-to-use citations in common formats.

APA

FinancialAha. (2026, January 4). FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro (Revision 1). FinancialAha. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/

MLA

"FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro (Revision 1)." FinancialAha, https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

Chicago

FinancialAha. "FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro (Revision 1)." FinancialAha. January 4, 2026. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/.

Harvard

FinancialAha (2026) FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro (Revision 1). Available at: https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/ (Accessed: 6 January 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{fire_number_by_2026_rv1,
  author = {FinancialAha Data Team},
  title = {FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-01-06, Revision 1}
}

RIS (EndNote/Zotero)

TY  - ELEC
TI  - FIRE Number by City: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early in Every U.S. Metro (Revision 1)
AU  - FinancialAha Data Team
PB  - FinancialAha
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/01/04
UR  - https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/us-fire-number-by-city/rv1/
Y2  - 2026-01-06
N1  - Revision 1
ER  -

This analysis is licensed under CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt this work with attribution.

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