FIRE Calculator

See how much sooner you could retire by moving abroad

Retire 0 years earlier
by moving to Playa del Carmen
1
Enter your finances Income, expenses, and current savings — all in USD
2
Pick a destination Choose any of 250+ cities to compare cost of living
3
See your timeline Discover how many years earlier you could retire abroad

Your Finances

$
Your gross income before taxes (salary, freelance, etc.)
$
Your total monthly spending: rent, food, transport, subscriptions, etc.
$
Total in savings accounts, index funds, 401k, brokerage — anything invested
$
Auto-calculated from income ÷ 12 − expenses. Edit to override.
4%8%12%
Historically 10% (S&P 500). Use 6–7% to be conservative.
3%4%5%
4% is the Trinity Study standard. Lower = more conservative.

Destination City

Playa del Carmen

Destination Cost Breakdown — 7 core expenses

Rent (1BR center) · groceries · 10 restaurant meals · transport pass · utilities · internet · gym

Total $0

FIRE Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of your path to financial independence

Current Location
Monthly Expenses $3,000
Annual Expenses $36,000
FIRE Number $900,000
Monthly Savings $2,000
Progress to FIRE 6%
0 years to FIRE
Playa del Carmen
Monthly Expenses city data $1,200
Annual Expenses $14,400
FIRE Number $360,000
Monthly Savings at Dest.
(income ÷ 12 − city costs) $3,800
Progress to FIRE 14%
0 years to FIRE
How are these numbers calculated?

FIRE Number = Annual expenses ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate (e.g. $36,000 ÷ 4% = $900,000). This is the portfolio size that lets you live off investment returns indefinitely.

Left card = your current path: retire at home, spending what you spend today.

Right card = the expat path: move to the destination and retire there. Expenses come from real cost-of-living data, not your current spending.

Years to FIRE uses compound growth: your savings grow at the expected annual return while you keep contributing monthly.

Save 0 years by reaching FIRE in a lower-cost destination
FIRE Number drops by $0

Popular Destinations

About this calculator: FIRE numbers are based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate from the Trinity Study. Cost-of-living estimates use publicly available data as of February 2026. All amounts in USD. Investment returns are not guaranteed; past performance does not predict future results. Consult a financial advisor for personalized retirement planning. Suggest a correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FIRE and how does geo-arbitrage help?

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) means saving enough to live off investment returns. Geo-arbitrage means moving to a lower cost-of-living area to reduce your FIRE number. For example, if you need $3,000/month in the US but only $1,200/month in Thailand, your FIRE number drops from $900,000 to $360,000 — potentially saving 10-15 years of working.

How is the FIRE number calculated?

Your FIRE number equals your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate (typically 4%). For example, $36,000/year ÷ 0.04 = $900,000. The 4% rule is based on the Trinity Study, which found that withdrawing 4% of a diversified portfolio annually has historically lasted 30+ years.

What is a safe withdrawal rate for expats?

The standard 4% rule applies globally, but expats may benefit from even lower withdrawal rates (3-3.5%) for added safety, or higher rates (4.5-5%) in very low-cost destinations. Currency fluctuations, healthcare costs, and visa renewal fees should be factored into your annual expense estimate.

Does this calculator account for taxes?

This calculator focuses on cost-of-living differences. Tax obligations vary significantly based on citizenship, residency, and income sources. US citizens must file taxes regardless of where they live but can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE). Check our Tax Estimator tool for country-specific tax comparisons.

Can I really retire earlier by moving abroad?

Yes. Popular expat destinations like Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, and Portugal can be 40-70% cheaper than major US cities. If your current expenses are $4,000/month and you move somewhere costing $1,500/month, your FIRE number drops by $750,000, which could mean reaching financial independence 10+ years sooner.