Use this NYC FIRE calculator to find out how much you actually need to retire in New York City.
You’ll get your personalized FIRE number (adjusted for NYC’s triple tax), a Monte Carlo simulation showing your probability of success, and the specific levers that can lower your target by $1-3M.
Key fact: The typical NYC family of four needs $5-6M to FIRE — roughly 2x the national average. Top 10% lifestyles require $9-11M.
Step 1: Enter Your NYC Expenses
Click a spending profile or enter your own:
Step 2: Your Current Situation
Step 3: Your NYC FIRE Number
Step 4: Monte Carlo Stress Test
Will your money last? This runs 1,000 market scenarios to find out.
Ways to Lower Your NYC FIRE Number
Move to Queens or Jersey City
Save $24K-$36K/year on housing
Zone for Good Public Schools
Skip $60K/year private tuition
Leave NYC After FIRE
Cut expenses 40-50% in lower cost area
Roth Conversions Now
Avoid NYC triple-tax in retirement
Key NYC FIRE Statistics (2026)
| Metric | NYC | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,694 | $74,580 |
| Top 10% household income | $250,000+ | $200,000+ |
| Median rent (2BR) | $3,500/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Daycare (annual) | $30,000-$45,000 | $10,000-$15,000 |
| Combined tax rate (high earner) | ~45% marginal | ~37% marginal |
Sources: Census Bureau ACS, StreetEasy, Care.com, NYC Dept. of Finance
What to Do With Your Results
If your success rate is 80%+
You’re on track. Keep doing what you’re doing. Consider whether you want to accelerate your timeline or pad your buffer for extra security. Optimize your portfolio allocation →
If your success rate is 60-80%
You’re close but have risk. Your options:
- Increase savings rate by $20-50K/year
- Extend timeline by 2-3 years
- Reduce target spend — look at the levers above
- Plan to relocate post-FIRE (biggest single lever)
If your success rate is below 60%
The math doesn’t work yet. You need significant changes:
- Housing: Can you move to a lower-cost neighborhood now?
- Schools: Is public school viable? This alone can drop your FIRE number by $1.7M per kid.
- Income: Can you increase earnings in the next 3-5 years?
- Exit strategy: Plan to leave NYC when you FIRE — this cuts your number by 40-50%.
NYC FIRE Percentile Benchmarks
| Profile | Annual Spend | FIRE Number | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Average | $180K | $5-6M | Brooklyn/Queens, public school, one vacation/year |
| Top 10% | $320K | $9-11M | Prime Brooklyn, private school, nanny, travel |
| Top 1% | $550K | $15-19M | Manhattan, elite schools, multiple kids, premium everything |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my NYC FIRE number so much higher than national calculators show?
Three reasons: (1) NYC’s triple tax means you need to withdraw 25-30% more to net the same spending, (2) housing costs are 2-3x national averages, (3) childcare and schools cost 2-4x more. This calculator accounts for all three.
What success rate should I aim for?
80% or higher. This means in 800 out of 1,000 simulated market scenarios, your money lasted 30 years. Below 70% means your plan has meaningful risk of failure.
Does this calculator account for Social Security?
No. Social Security is a bonus buffer, not a core assumption. If you’re planning to FIRE early (before 62), you’ll have years without it anyway. Add it mentally as extra margin.
What if I plan to leave NYC after I FIRE?
Use the “Leave NYC After FIRE” lever to see the impact. Moving to a lower-cost area typically cuts your FIRE number by 40-50%. Many NYC FIRE planners build to a lower number with relocation as the explicit plan.
How accurate is the Monte Carlo simulation?
It models realistic market volatility (7% average return, 15% standard deviation) across 1,000 scenarios. It captures sequence-of-returns risk — the main reason retirees run out of money. It’s directionally accurate, not a guarantee.
Related Tools
- Income Percentile Calculator — See where your household income ranks
- Net Worth Percentile Calculator — Compare your net worth by age
- Retirement Calculator — General retirement planning tool
- Best Investment Portfolios — How to allocate your investments
Questions about your NYC FIRE plan? Drop a comment below.
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