While Social Security is meant to supplement retirement income, for many retirees, it’s their only financial lifeline. That leaves them living on a strict budget.
As of January 2025, the average monthly Social Security benefit is just $1,926 for an individual and $2,856 for a couple—far from enough to cover living costs in the country’s most expensive cities.
If you’re planning to rely solely on your Social Security check and still want to enjoy retirement, you’ll need to consider places that are both affordable and high in livability.
GOBankingRates put together a list of 15 top cities where retirees can live on Social Security alone. The study considered factors like average mortgage payments, cost of living, livability scores, and how much money a couple would have left after covering annual expenses.
1. Jerome, Illinois
- Population aged 65 and over: 15.2%
- Median household income: $55,777
- Monthly mortgage: $845
- Total annual cost of living: $32,731
- Livability score: 92
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $1,544
2. Cleveland Heights, Ohio
- Population aged 65 and over: 18.9%
- Median household income: $72,302
- Monthly mortgage: $1,133
- Total annual cost of living: $34,200
- Livability score: 88
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $75
3. Sandusky, Ohio
- Population aged 65 and over: 16.9%
- Median household income: $47,827
- Monthly mortgage: $809
- Total annual cost of living: $28,807
- Livability score: 87
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $5,468
4. Nutter Fort, West Virginia
- Population aged 65 and over: 16.6%
- Median household income: $62,917
- Monthly mortgage: $738
- Total annual cost of living: $32,257
- Livability score: 87
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $2,019
5. South Euclid, Ohio
- Population aged 65 and over: 15.7%
- Median household income: $78,782
- Monthly mortgage: $1,012
- Total annual cost of living: $32,671
- Livability score: 87
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $1,604
6. Meadville, Pennsylvania
- Population aged 65 and over: 18.1%
- Median household income: $46,012
- Monthly mortgage: $858
- Total annual cost of living: $31,485
- Livability score: 85
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $2,790
7. Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Population aged 65 and over: 18.3%
- Median household income: $49,531
- Monthly mortgage: $994
- Total annual cost of living: $34,030
- Livability score: 85
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $245
8. Homestead, Pennsylvania
- Population aged 65 and over: 26.8%
- Median household income: $38,661
- Monthly mortgage: $448
- Total annual cost of living: $27,965
- Livability score: 84
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $6,310
9. Millvale, Pennsylvania
- Population aged 65 and over: 14.1%
- Median household income: $69,936
- Monthly mortgage: $703
- Total annual cost of living: $30,899
- Livability score: 84
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $3,376
10. Frostburg, Maryland
- Population aged 65 and over: 16.2%
- Median household income: $51,052
- Monthly mortgage: $981
- Total annual cost of living: $31,872
- Livability score: 84
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $2,403
11. Emmetsburg, Iowa
- Population aged 65 and over: 26.0%
- Median household income: $57,353
- Monthly mortgage: $883
- Total annual cost of living: $32,567
- Livability score: 84
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $1,708
12. Tiffin, Ohio
- Population aged 65 and over: 18.6%
- Median household income: $55,700
- Monthly mortgage: $1,011
- Total annual cost of living: $31,179
- Livability score: 83
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $3,096
13. Ambridge, Pennsylvania
- Population aged 65 and over: 16.7%
- Median household income: $50,978
- Monthly mortgage: $797
- Total annual cost of living: $32,211
- Livability score: 83
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $2,064
14. Willowick, Ohio
- Population aged 65 and over: 17.2%
- Median household income: $74,138
- Monthly mortgage: $1,061
- Total annual cost of living: $33,186
- Livability score: 83
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $1,089
15. Mayville, North Dakota
- Population aged 65 and over: 14.7%
- Median household income: $64,044
- Monthly mortgage: $1,070
- Total annual cost of living: $33,250
- Livability score: 81
- Annual leftover after benefits (couple): $1,025
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Vikas Lalit is an experienced content writer at OTE News, covering business, economy, and international affairs. With a degree in Journalism, he combines analytical thinking with engaging storytelling to deliver well-researched updates. Vikas is passionate about uncovering underreported stories that impact readers.
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