FIRE Number for Raleigh, United States
United States
Research Triangle Excellence with Four Mild Seasons
Raleigh sits at the heart of the Research Triangle, surrounded by top-tier universities, world-class healthcare systems, and a thriving tech economy. The cost of living is moderate by East Coast standards, and the city offers four distinct but mild seasons with stunning fall foliage and pleasant springs. For FIRE seekers who value access to excellent medical care, a highly educated community, and a blend of urban amenities with Southern charm, Raleigh is hard to beat.
Lean FIRE, FIRE, and Fat FIRE for Raleigh
Needed to retire here is the portfolio that, in a historical backtest, would have lasted your retirement at your chosen confidence and length. Status is the verdict for your portfolio. The 4% rule benchmark is shown underneath each figure for reference only. Cost estimates are for a one-person household — adjust household size below.
Costs scale by category, not a flat multiple — housing is largely shared; food and healthcare scale per person.
Enter your real monthly healthcare cost and we'll use it across all lifestyle tiers — handy for VA/TriCare (enter 0) or when your ACA cost differs from our estimate.
| Lifestyle | Needed to retire here | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lean FIRE | $852K | $2,840/mo |
| FIRE | $1.45M | $4,840/mo |
| Fat FIRE | $5.14M | $17,150/mo |
Cost of Living Breakdown for Raleigh
Cost and FIRE figures are for a one-person household — adjust household size in the controls above.
Lean FIRE Lifestyle
$852KA cheapest-acceptable one-bedroom in Southeast Raleigh or near Brier Creek, cooking most meals at home with food trucks and breweries a few times a week. A paid-off car handles most errands, though parts of the city are bikeable, and proximity to Duke and UNC hospitals means good access even on a budget — with the ACA Silver premium affordable only if annual income stays under the 2026 ~$62,600 subsidy cutoff. The free state museums downtown by the Capitol and the extensive greenway trails fill the calendar, and the mild climate keeps utilities manageable.
FIRE Lifestyle
$1.45MA high-quality small home in Five Points or Cameron Village, walkable and tree-lined, with regular dinners at Poole's Diner, Death & Taxes, and Second Empire. Hurricanes season tickets, a golf membership, and premium insurance with Duke and UNC access all fit, with healthcare a Gold plan padded near the ~$62,600 ACA subsidy cutoff. A well-rounded, affluent life in a metro with genuinely strong healthcare infrastructure.
Fat FIRE Lifestyle
$5.14MA grand estate in Hayes Barton or a Cary compound with acreage, housekeeping several days a week with a grounds service, and a private chef several days a week, with top-tier concierge care at Duke or UNC and specialist access on demand. First-class travel, a premium vehicle with car service, and regular Outer Banks getaways are all within reach. The Triangle's three research universities and major medical centers anchor a life — roughly $206k a year — where daily costs never register, with room for meaningful philanthropy.
Retirement Confidence
The 4% rule is a great starting point. Here we go a step further and test your plan against real market history.
Enter your portfolio on the homepage to backtest a retirement in Raleigh against market history.
Backtest detail
How this is calculated
This is a real historical backtest. We run your plan through every retirement-length window in US market history (1871–2022): a 75% stock / 25% bond portfolio, rebalanced annually, with withdrawals raised each year for that period's actual inflation. The success rate is the share of those historical start years in which the money lasted the full length without running out.
Your confidence level sets the bar: at Balanced (90%), a survival rate of 90% or more reads "You can retire here", within 10 points below is "Close - worth a closer look", and lower is "Not quite yet". The same level sizes the "Needed to retire here" target. Retirement length also drives it - early retirees planning 40–50+ years see lower survival than the 30-year baseline.
Healthcare, Visa & City Overview
EST (UTC-5)
USD
English
60°F / 16°C
200+ Mbps average
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring in Raleigh
What is the FIRE Number for Raleigh, United States?
The FIRE Number for Raleigh ranges from $852K (Lean FIRE lifestyle) to $5.14M (Fat FIRE lifestyle). A FIRE retirement requires a portfolio of approximately $1.45M, based on estimated monthly costs of $4,840 and a 4% safe withdrawal rate.
How much does it cost to retire in Raleigh?
Monthly living costs in Raleigh range from $2,840 (Lean FIRE) to $4,840 (FIRE), covering housing (market rent), dining, groceries, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and utilities.
What is healthcare like in Raleigh for retirees?
Healthcare in Raleigh costs approximately $450 to $600/month depending on coverage level. Typical coverage at the Lean FIRE budget: A subsidized Silver plan on North Carolina's ACA marketplace, assuming annual income stays under the 2026 subsidy cutoff of about $62,600 for a single person; above that, the full price climbs toward $1,000 a month. Priced for an early retiree aged 45-55; older retirees should budget more.
What is the weather like in Raleigh?
Humid subtropical with mild winters, warm summers, and beautiful fall and spring seasons. The average temperature is 60°F / 16°C.
How safe is Raleigh for retirees?
Raleigh is generally safe for retirees, scoring 6 out of 10 in our safety ratings.
How Raleigh Compares
Other Cities in North America
Popular Destinations Worldwide
Explore all 127 retirement destinations or compare cities side by side.
Compare Raleigh With...
See how Raleigh stacks up against other popular FIRE destinations.
Compare all destinationsSee Where You Can Retire
Enter your portfolio value and see which cities worldwide you can retire in.
Explore All Cities