The average American couple on Social Security receives approximately $2,786 per month in benefits. While Social Security benefits are intended to augment preexisting retirement funds rather that serve as a couple’s sole means of income, is it possible to use the benefits to completely cover rent?
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GOBankingRates recently analyzed a number of cities in the Southern United States to find locations where couples on Social Security could pay rent entirely with their benefits and still have a little left over at the end of each year. A constellation of factors were considered, such as total population (as well as population over the age of 65), total households, household median income, cost-of-living expenses as well as national average expenditure costs.
From those factors, GOBankingRates compiled 20 cities in the South in which couples on Social Security could afford their rent solely with their benefits. See the best Southern towns for a couple to live on Social Security, listed in order of most money left after rent is paid.
Dyersburg, Tennessee
- Annual cost of living for renter: $28,043
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $5,388
- Livability score: 64
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Russellville, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $30,308
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $3,123
- Livability score: 74
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Searcy, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $30,316
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $3,116
- Livability score: 65
Glasgow, Kentucky
- Annual cost of living for renter: $30,371
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $3,060
- Livability score: 76
Batesville, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $30,708
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,723
- Livability score: 71
Marshall, Texas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $30,963
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,469
- Livability score: 68
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Pineville, Louisiana
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,061
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,370
- Livability score: 70
Bay City, Texas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,088
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,343
- Livability score: 73
Weirton, West Virginia
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,110
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,321
- Livability score: 68
Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,220
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,211
- Livability score: 63
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Clute, Texas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,265
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $2,166
- Livability score: 60
Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $31,861
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,570
- Livability score: 63
Weslaco, Texas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,038
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,393
- Livability score: 72
Greeneville, Tennessee
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,118
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,314
- Livability score: 65
Tifton, Georgia
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,319
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,113
- Livability score: 71
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Dublin, Georgia
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,325
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,106
- Livability score: 62
Leon Valley, Texas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,350
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,081
- Livability score: 79
Mountain Home, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,421
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $1,010
- Livability score: 69
Van Buren, Arkansas
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,440
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $991
- Livability score: 67
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
- Annual cost of living for renter: $32,500
- Money left for living expenses for renting couple after Social Security: $932
- Livability score: 64
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in the Southern United States to find the best places to live on Social Security benefits. GOBankingRates defined the Southern United States as AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV. To qualify for this study, the city had to have a population of at least 10,000 and have all data available. For each location, GOBankingrates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income — all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over was calculated. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost-of-living indexes. Using the cost of living and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location to show the quality of life in each city. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for October 2024, and the average rental cost was sourced from Zillow Observed Rental Index for October 2024. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage, rental cost and expenditure costs, the cost of living for a homeowner and a renter was calculated for each location. The average monthly Social Security benefits were sourced from the Social Security Administration. By using the total cost of living for renters and homeowners, the total cost of living after Social Security benefits for renters and homeowners was calculated. The places where the Social Security benefits for a couple can cover the cost of living were kept and ranked. The highest-livability locations with a lower cost of living than Social Security benefits were kept and ranked to find the best places to live in the South on Social Security benefits. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Dec. 2, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Best Southern Towns for a Couple Living on Social Security To Rent
