Question 1

What is a FIRE number?

Accepted Answer

Your FIRE number is the total savings or investment portfolio you need to retire early and live off investment returns indefinitely. It is typically calculated as 25× your annual expenses, based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate.

Question 2

How do I calculate my freedom date?

Accepted Answer

Your freedom date is the point when your investments can cover your living expenses without needing to work. UntilFire calculates it from your income, monthly savings, current net worth, and target spending, then projects when your portfolio hits 25× annual expenses.

Question 3

What is the difference between lean FIRE, fat FIRE, barista FIRE, and coast FIRE?

Accepted Answer

Lean FIRE means retiring on a minimal budget (typically under $40k/year). Fat FIRE means retiring with a larger portfolio for a comfortable lifestyle. Barista FIRE means partially retiring with part-time work to cover some expenses. Coast FIRE means you have saved enough that, with no further contributions, your portfolio will grow to your FIRE number by traditional retirement age.

Question 4

How much do I need to retire early?

Accepted Answer

You need approximately 25 times your annual expenses invested in a diversified portfolio to retire early — this is known as your FIRE number. For example, if you spend $50,000 per year, you need roughly $1.25 million. UntilFire calculates your exact target based on your location, spending, and tax situation.

Question 5

What savings rate do I need for financial independence?

Accepted Answer

Higher savings rates dramatically shorten the timeline to financial independence. Saving 10% of your income takes roughly 40 years. Saving 25% takes about 32 years. Saving 50% takes around 17 years. Saving 70%+ can get you to financial independence in under 10 years. UntilFire shows your exact timeline based on your current numbers.

Question 6

What is the 4% rule for retirement?

Accepted Answer

The 4% rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, with a high probability of the portfolio lasting 30+ years. It comes from the Trinity Study. This means your FIRE number is 25× your annual expenses (1 ÷ 4% = 25).

#	City	State	Annual Cost	FIRE Target	Income Tax
1	Jackson, MS	Mississippi	$38,000	$950,000	5.0%
2	Macon, GA	Georgia	$38,000	$950,000	5.5%
3	Montgomery, AL	Alabama	$38,000	$950,000	5.0%
4	Gulfport, MS	Mississippi	$38,000	$950,000	5.0%
5	Birmingham, AL	Alabama	$40,000	$1,000,000	5.0%
6	Little Rock, AR	Arkansas	$40,000	$1,000,000	4.7%
7	Augusta, GA	Georgia	$40,000	$1,000,000	5.5%
8	Mobile, AL	Alabama	$40,000	$1,000,000	5.0%
9	Columbus, GA	Georgia	$40,000	$1,000,000	5.5%
10	Memphis, TN	Tennessee	$42,000	$1,050,000	None
11	Columbia, SC	South Carolina	$42,000	$1,050,000	7.0%
12	Huntsville, AL	Alabama	$42,000	$1,050,000	5.0%
13	Tallahassee, FL	Florida	$42,000	$1,050,000	None
14	Gainesville, FL	Florida	$42,000	$1,050,000	None
15	Pensacola, FL	Florida	$42,000	$1,050,000	None
16	Athens, GA	Georgia	$42,000	$1,050,000	5.5%
17	Greensboro, NC	North Carolina	$42,000	$1,050,000	4.5%
18	Winston-Salem, NC	North Carolina	$42,000	$1,050,000	4.5%
19	Fayetteville, AR	Arkansas	$42,000	$1,050,000	4.7%
20	Lakeland, FL	Florida	$42,000	$1,050,000	None
21	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee	$44,000	$1,100,000	None
22	Baton Rouge, LA	Louisiana	$44,000	$1,100,000	4.3%
23	Knoxville, TN	Tennessee	$44,000	$1,100,000	None
24	Greenville, SC	South Carolina	$44,000	$1,100,000	7.0%
25	Jacksonville, FL	Florida	$46,000	$1,150,000	None
26	Savannah, GA	Georgia	$46,000	$1,150,000	5.5%
27	Cape Coral, FL	Florida	$46,000	$1,150,000	None
28	Myrtle Beach, SC	South Carolina	$46,000	$1,150,000	7.0%
29	Orlando, FL	Florida	$48,000	$1,200,000	None
30	St. Petersburg, FL	Florida	$48,000	$1,200,000	None
31	Raleigh, NC	North Carolina	$48,000	$1,200,000	4.5%
32	Asheville, NC	North Carolina	$48,000	$1,200,000	4.5%
33	New Orleans, LA	Louisiana	$48,000	$1,200,000	4.3%
34	Durham, NC	North Carolina	$48,000	$1,200,000	4.5%
35	Wilmington, NC	North Carolina	$48,000	$1,200,000	4.5%
36	Clearwater, FL	Florida	$48,000	$1,200,000	None
37	Tampa, FL	Florida	$50,000	$1,250,000	None
38	Charlotte, NC	North Carolina	$50,000	$1,250,000	4.5%
39	Richmond, VA	Virginia	$50,000	$1,250,000	5.8%
40	Fort Myers, FL	Florida	$50,000	$1,250,000	None
41	Norfolk, VA	Virginia	$50,000	$1,250,000	5.8%
42	Sarasota, FL	Florida	$52,000	$1,300,000	None
43	Nashville, TN	Tennessee	$52,000	$1,300,000	None
44	Virginia Beach, VA	Virginia	$52,000	$1,300,000	5.8%
45	Charleston, SC	South Carolina	$52,000	$1,300,000	7.0%
46	Atlanta, GA	Georgia	$54,000	$1,350,000	5.5%
47	Charlottesville, VA	Virginia	$54,000	$1,350,000	5.8%
48	West Palm Beach, FL	Florida	$58,000	$1,450,000	None
49	Alpharetta, GA	Georgia	$58,000	$1,450,000	5.5%
50	Franklin, TN	Tennessee	$58,000	$1,450,000	None
51	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Florida	$60,000	$1,500,000	None
52	Naples, FL	Florida	$62,000	$1,550,000	None
53	Boca Raton, FL	Florida	$62,000	$1,550,000	None
54	Miami, FL	Florida	$68,000	$1,700,000	None
55	Alexandria, VA	Virginia	$70,000	$1,750,000	5.8%
56	Arlington, VA	Virginia	$78,000	$1,950,000	5.8%

FIRE in the Southeast

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