10 Best U.S. Cities to Retire on Social Security Alone (and 5 to Avoid)

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A comfortable, easy retirement is the goal for millions of men and women across the United States. The best way to achieve this goal is by saving early in life, contributing to retirement funds, and amassing a decent amount of wealth you can live off in your golden years.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. What if you have no retirement savings? What if Social Security is your sole income? Thankfully, a comfortable retirement is still possible if you choose the right place to live. Today, we’re looking at the best American cities to retire in if you only have Social Security as an income. These cities were chosen based on many factors such as housing prices, tax policies, and percentage of residents over age 65.

1. Best: Foley, Alabama

Foley, Alabama
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For anyone looking to stretch their Social Security income as far as possible in retirement, Foley, Alabama, is the place to live. The state of Alabama does not impose taxes on Social Security income, and most homes cost less than $300,000. Plus, it’s only about 10 miles from the beaches.

When you factor in that over 30% of the population is over 65, you’ll know you’re among like-minded retirees with one goal: to enjoy retirement by spending as little money as possible.

2. Best: Mountain Home, Arkansas

Bull Shoals Lake, Baxter County Arkansas
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As the highest-ranked retirement town in Arkansas on this list, Mountain Home is a haven for anyone who doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on living expenses once their working days are over.

The statistics don’t lie. With the average home sale coming in just under $200,000, homeownership later in life is feasible and reasonably practical if you’re living exclusively off your Social Security benefits. I would never have considered retiring in Arkansas, but after learning about Mountain Home, I may change my mind.

3. Best: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
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Speaking of Arkansas, Hot Springs Village is another fantastic place to retire due to one fascinating statistic: two-thirds of the population is 65 or older. That puts places like Foley, Alabama, to shame, to say the least.

Imagine living where most of the population are people like you. It sounds great to me. When you add in the fact that Hot Springs Village doesn’t tax Social Security benefits and has an average home value of less than $290,000, this Arkansas gem gets more appealing by the second.

4. Best: The Villages, Florida

The Village, Florida
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Florida is home to arguably the best-kept secret in the retirement world: The Villages. Nearly 86% of the residents are 65 or older, a statistic that will make you instantly forget about places like Hot Springs Village.

The Villages is an enticing proposition the more you consider the perks of living in Florida. The climate is pleasant year-round, the cost of living is low compared to the rest of the country, and Social Security income is not taxed. It’s a win-win situation.

5. Best: Bella Vista, Arkansas

Bella Vista, Arkansas
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Bella Vista is the third town on this list in Arkansas, further cementing the state’s reputation as a haven for retirees. Affordable homes, no Social Security tax, and a well-rounded and diverse population of all ages make it appealing to a wide range of people.

Nearly 100 years ago, Bella Vista was initially incorporated as a resort town, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the city still boasts many enjoyable amenities that retirees love, including plenty of golf courses.

6. Best: Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst, North Carolina
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Although the average home value is slightly less than $500,000, that doesn’t mean Pinehurst, North Carolina, is undesirable to live in retirement. In fact, it’s the opposite.

Pinehurst has a milder climate with more traditional seasons than other places on this list. Any lover of the outdoors (and haters of humidity) will prefer retiring in North Carolina for these reasons. Summers are warm, and winters are cool, just like they should be.

7. Best: Green Valley, Arizona

Green Valley, Arizona
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Chalk up Green Valley, Arizona, as incredibly retiree-friendly. Eighty percent of the population is of retirement age, giving The Villages, Florida, a significant run for its money. There’s nothing better than being around people traveling down the same road you are, right?

I’ve visited Arizona many times. One fact is that you’ll always be warm, regardless of the season. For millions of retirees living only on Social Security income, the prospect of never paying for heat is enticing.

8. Best: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Myrtle Beach has a reputation for being one of the most family-focused, welcoming beach destinations on the U.S. East Coast. Conventional wisdom suggests it’s just as good a place to retire in as it is to visit in your younger years.

It doesn’t get any better for millions of men and women than living in coastal South Carolina. More than 37% of the population is of retirement age, meaning you won’t be alone relaxing by the beach anytime soon.

9. Best: Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg,Texas
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For anyone who yearns to retire in the Lone Star State, Fredericksburg, Texas, is the best available option. Texas is one of the most attractive states for retirees due to its historically conservative politics, low taxes, and general freedoms.

The average cost of living is low, and although the average home value hovers close to $500,000, it’s a small price to pay to boast that you retired in arguably the most desirable state in the country.

10. Best: Punta Gorda, Florida

Punta Gorda, Florida
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Half the Punta Gorda population is older than 65, making this underrated Florida town an ideal place to retire. Located just a few miles from Fort Myers, the Gulf of Mexico beaches in Punta Gorda sound like the perfect place to relax after a career of hard work.

The stats don’t lie, either: nearly half of the population is retired, which means even the most neighbor-adverse person will have no problem bonding with like-minded men and women they live near.

11. Worst: Malibu, California

Malibu, California
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Malibu, California, is the undisputed worst place to retire if all you have to count on is Social Security benefits. Malibu is obscenely expensive, and its proximity to Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California neighborhoods means the cost of living is sky-high.

Unless you’re a famous Hollywood actor looking to live the rest of your golden years away from the spotlight, don’t ever think about retiring in Malibu; you can’t afford it.

12. Worst: Walnut Creek, California

Walnut Creek, California
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While not nearly as expensive as Malibu, Walnut Creek is the second-worst place to retire in the United States for many of the same reasons. Having some of the country’s highest living costs makes you wonder why anybody would retire in California.

Located between San Francisco and Napa Valley, it follows that retiring in Walnut Creek, California, is a recipe for going bankrupt if you have no income other than social security.

13. Worst: Melville, New York

Melville, New York
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No retiree likes being outnumbered by the working class, and fewer than 28% of Melville residents are over 65, making it one of the worst places to settle down and live off Social Security. Plus, Melville is on Long Island, which, depending on who you ask, is either the best or worst place in the country.

I don’t judge here. I love Long Island and have many relatives living there. However, the hustle and bustle of living outside of New York City isn’t appealing to many prospective retirees.

14. Worst: Ridge, New York

Fall foliage at Batsto Lake in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey
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Like California, everything in New York state is prohibitively expensive for retirees in 2024. It doesn’t matter what statistic you examine; you’ll be paying an arm and a leg to live in Ridge, New York, especially if you have no retirement income besides Social Security.

Interestingly, Ridge is only a hop, skip, and jump away from Melville, making Long Island (in general) one of the least appealing places to retire, regardless of income status.

15. Worst: Paradise Valley, Arizona

Paradise Valley, Arizona
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Although Arizona is home to one of the best U.S. cities to retire in, the state boasts one of the worst: Paradise Valley. The average home value is an astronomical $3.02 million, making it out of reach for even the most frugal retiree.

If living solely off your Social Security checks is your goal, moving to Paradise Valley is a good way to end up living on the streets in record time.

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Chris Phelan

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