The 20 Best Places in the United States to Rely Solely on Your Social Security Check!

For many Americans, Social Security is a vital safety net. Even if you haven’t set aside enough money for retirement, you may rely on Social Security payments.

However, without another source of income, America’s most costly cities are out of reach, with an average monthly benefit of just over $1,400.

If you must rely only on your Social Security payments and yet want to enjoy your golden years, you’ll need to choose a place to live that is both reasonable and doesn’t compromise your quality of life.

That’s why developed a list of the top 20 places where you can live off of Social Security alone. The study took into account the cost of living, livability, and median rent, comparing the 143 biggest cities in the United States and combining the results to determine where you can live off your Social Security pension alone.

Lubbock, Texas (#20)

The score for Cost of Living: 79.9

68 points for livability

Rent: $719 on average

Lubbock is one of five Texas towns that the research recognized as ideal places to live on Social Security alone. Its poor livability score and monthly rent of more than $700 kept it from rising higher on the list.

Toledo, Ohio (19)

The score for Cost of Living: 72.7

62 points for livability

Rent: $651 on average

The cost of living in Toledo implies that you may expect to pay more than 25% less on necessities than you would in the rest of the country.

Furthermore, according to a second survey, Toledo is one of the places where your money goes the furthest.

Cleveland, Ohio (#18)

The score for Cost of Living: 72.6

60 points for livability

Rent: $612 on average

If you’re younger and want to avoid relying only on your Social Security check when you retire, one of the most brilliant things you can do is start saving now.

Even if it’s too late to save the kind of money you want, a city like Cleveland, which offers affordable housing and a low cost of living, can help you maximize your Social Security payments.

Magnolia, Texas (#17)

The score for Cost of Living: was 104

The score for Livability: is 80

Rent: $773 on average

Magnolia is located 45 miles northwest of Houston in Montgomery County, rapidly booming. Its popularity is likely to blame for the city’s high rental rate, which is the sixth-highest on the list. It also boasts the study’s second-highest cost of living.

Richmond, Texas (#16)

The score for Cost of Living: 108.2

82 points for livability

Rent: $780 on average

Richmond, which is also part of the Houston metropolitan region, had the highest cost-of-living index in the survey. It also has one of the highest livability scores.

Roanoke, Virginia (#15)

The score for Cost of Living: 84.1

The score for livability: is 75

Rent: $792 on average

Roanoke has the fourth-highest average rent cost on the list, but its cheaper cost of living and high livability scores make it attractive to retirees.

Roanoke is a fantastic spot to go if you want to augment your Social Security income. It’s also one of the top 20 cities for remote workers, according to another survey.

 14. Nebraska’s capital is Lincoln

The score for Cost of Living: 89.8

78 points for livability

Rent: $806 on average

The average rent in Lincoln is $806, which is the second-highest on the list, yet living in this college town is still 10% cheaper than the rest of the country.

Grand Forks, North Dakota is number thirteen

The score for Cost of Living: 88.2

74 points for livability

Rent: $733 on average

Grand Forks, North Dakota’s northernmost city, is one of two on the list. Grand Forks rent is in the middle, at $733, although it’s still 11 percent less costly than other cities.

Odessa, Texas (12)

The score for Cost of Living: was 88

63 points for livability

Rent: $504 on average

The inexpensive cost of living in Odessa is a major draw for retirees. It’s the cheapest in the survey — by a long by, at $504 per month. However, Odessa’s livability score of 63 is among the lowest, dropping it to 12th place on the list.

Fargo, North Dakota (#11)

The score for Cost of Living: 91.9

77 points for livability

Rent: $740 on average

Another analysis found that Fargo is one of the greatest locations to live in on a fixed income. Those who rely on Social Security should find this appealing.

Davenport, Iowa (10)

The score for Cost of Living: 81.7

69 points for livability

Rent: $644 on average

Davenport has a lower cost of living than the typical American city, thanks to its average monthly rent of $644. Its livability score of 69 is dragging it down.

Abilene, Texas (#9)

The score for Cost of Living: was 78.1

The score for livability: is 75

Rent: $780 on average

Abilene, the fifth and final Texas city on the list, has a cost of living that is roughly 22% lower than the national average, making it one of the lowest in the research. This helps to make the $780 housing expense seem more manageable.

Norman, Oklahoma (#8)

The score for Cost of Living: 89.4

76 points for livability

Rent: $715 on average

The University of Oklahoma is located in Norman, and being surrounded by all of those college kids will keep a retiree youthful. The average rent in this city is $715, which is the fifth-lowest on the list.

Lake Charles, Louisiana is number seven

The score for Cost of Living: 83.4

The score of livability: is 70

Rent: $622 on average

There’s good news for seniors who want to live near the lake, with all the recreational options that entail — think fishing! – Lake Charles has the third-lowest rent cost of the cities studied.

Des Moines, Iowa (No. 6)

The score for Cost of Living: 81.2

The score for livability: is 75

Rent: $729 on average

Des Moines placed sixth on this list due to good scores in two categories: livability and cost of living.

Rochester, Minnesota (#5)

The score for Cost of Living: 94.1

84 points for livability

Rent: $800 on average

Annually, almost 3 million people visit Rochester, many of them to see doctors at the world-famous Mayo Clinic, which first opened its doors in 1889.

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While its rentals are the third highest in the research, it has a good livability score, making it appealing to retirees.

Fort Wayne, Indiana is number four

The score for Cost of Living: 78.9

The score for livability: is 75

Rent: $718 on average

Fort Wayne is pricier than many of the other towns on our list, but according to separate research, it is still one of the finest locations in the country to retire for $1,500 per month.

3. Missouri’s St. Charles

The score for Cost of Living: 92.2

86 points for livability

Rent: $831 on average

The most expensive rental in the survey is $831, yet it also has the greatest livability score of 86. There’s much for retirees to do there, from seeing the local wine country to exploring historic Main Street.

Lynchburg, Virginia (#2)

The score for Cost of Living: 82.9

81 points for livability

Rent: $786 on average

Lynchburg’s relatively high livability score is the main reason for its ranking at No. 2, but its retiree-friendly cost of living is also a big consideration. The cost of living is around 17% lower than the national average.

Rock Springs, Wyoming is number one

The score for Cost of Living: 96.2

83 points for livability

Rent: $692 on average

Rock Springs, an enclave of the Old West, was once home to outlaw Butch Cassidy. With a cheap average rent of $692 and a strong livability score, it’s now a city that welcomes retirees.

Rock Springs is a historic mining village in the high desert near the Killpecker Sand Dunes, which are the world’s biggest dunes.