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.
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 | $1.09M | $3,650/mo |
| FIRE | $1.86M | $6,200/mo |
| Fat FIRE | $4.65M | $15,500/mo |
Cost of Living Breakdown for Raleigh
All cost and FIRE figures assume a single adult.
Lean FIRE Lifestyle
$1.09MA one-bedroom apartment in Southeast Raleigh or near Brier Creek, cooking most meals at home, and a paid-off car for getting around. Healthcare on an ACA Silver plan is a significant expense, but proximity to Duke and UNC hospitals means good access even on a budget. Free museums on Hillsborough Street and the city's extensive greenway trails are your main entertainment. The mild climate keeps utility costs manageable.
FIRE Lifestyle
$1.86MA three-bedroom home in a walkable neighborhood like Cameron Village or Five Points, regular dinners at places like Poole's Diner and Second Empire, and Hurricanes season tickets. Premium health insurance with access to the Duke and UNC medical systems provides strong coverage. You have room for a golf club membership, regular weekend trips, and a late-model car. This is a comfortable, well-rounded life in a metro with genuinely good healthcare infrastructure.
Fat FIRE Lifestyle
$4.65MA large estate in Hayes Barton or Cary, a cook who comes in several times a week, regular domestic help, and top-tier concierge medicine at Duke or UNC. You travel first class, keep multiple cars, and dine out without thinking about the bill. A second home on the Outer Banks is within reach at this budget. The Triangle's three research universities and major medical centers mean you are never far from specialists or cultural programming.
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 $1.09M (Lean FIRE lifestyle) to $4.65M (Fat FIRE lifestyle). A FIRE retirement requires a portfolio of approximately $1.86M, based on estimated monthly costs of $6,200 and a 4% safe withdrawal rate.
How much does it cost to retire in Raleigh?
Monthly living costs in Raleigh range from $3,650 (Lean FIRE) to $6,200 (FIRE), covering housing, dining, groceries, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and utilities.
What is healthcare like in Raleigh for retirees?
Healthcare in Raleigh costs approximately $650 to $775/month depending on coverage level. ACA marketplace Silver plan; excellent Duke and UNC hospitals nearby.
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?
Moderate to High – safe suburbs; typical metro considerations downtown
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