Retirement evokes excitement as you leave behind the working world and enjoy your days to the fullest. Upon retirement, your monthly Social Security check bolsters other retirement savings to provide a regular income during your golden years.
The amount of that monthly check depends on how much you've earned during your working years, regardless of where you've lived. You must work for approximately 10 years, contributing to the system, to earn enough credits to qualify for retirement benefits. The Social Security Administration applies a formula to up to 35 of your highest annual earnings, up to the Social Security wage base, the top income for paying Social Security taxes. In 2025, that threshold was $176,100.
Full retirement age is between ages 66 and 67, but you can claim Social Security as early as age 62. Early retirement lowers your monthly benefit compared to waiting for full retirement. If you opt to work until age 70, you'll get the largest benefit possible.
The government considers Social Security benefits taxable income, but a special deduction can lower that amount for federal taxes. Nine states also apply a state income tax to Social Security income, although West Virginia is phasing out this additional tax as of 2026.
Those factors are why many retire to more affordable cities. Cities with a lower cost of living, low income tax rates, and low property taxes—characteristics of many cities in the South—draw their fair share of retirees who want to stretch their retirement savings.
Stacker used data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Statistics, Tax Foundation, and Zillow to identify the metros in the United States where Social Security checks go the furthest. Metros were ranked by cost of living. Property taxes are reported at the county level by the Tax Foundation and aggregated to the metro level, which may not fully reflect the specific locations. All data are for the latest available year. Some states may tax Social Security payments, depending on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income and age.
Michael Shanafelt // Shutterstock
1 / 50-Population: 120,269 (22.4% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $177,227
--Typical property tax rate: 1.1%
-Median rent: $928
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
gurezende // Shutterstock
2 / 50-Population: 147,114 (20.7% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $195,758
--Typical property tax rate: 0.9%
-Median rent: $1,185
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
3 / 50-Population: 133,785 (19.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $185,208
--Typical property tax rate: 1.5%
-Median rent: $1,153
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Matthew Yonker // Shutterstock
4 / 50-Population: 168,874 (18.7% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $162,577
--Typical property tax rate: 0.8%
-Median rent: $1,005
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
K. Yoho Photography // Shutterstock
5 / 50-Population: 87,681 (22.7% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $166,067
--Typical property tax rate: 0.6%
-Median rent: $926
-State taxes on Social Security?: Yes in West Virginia
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
6 / 50-Population: 145,994 (16.4% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.9% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $217,535
--Typical property tax rate: 1.4%
-Median rent: $1,138
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock
7 / 50-Population: 130,108 (24.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 11.9% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $107,116
--Typical property tax rate: 1.3%
-Median rent: $888
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
8 / 50-Population: 200,474 (19.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $183,900
--Typical property tax rate: 0.4%
-Median rent: $1,394
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Sam Wagner // Shutterstock
9 / 50-Population: 170,081 (18.8% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $198,173
--Typical property tax rate: 1.5%
-Median rent: $948
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
APN Photography // Shutterstock
10 / 50-Population: 119,124 (19.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.2% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $205,575
--Typical property tax rate: 0.8%
-Median rent: $941
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
11 / 50-Population: 272,823 (10.8% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.2% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $211,068
--Typical property tax rate: 1.9%
-Median rent: $1,318
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
B Brown // Shutterstock
12 / 50-Population: 91,010 (16.0% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.2% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $348,204
--Typical property tax rate: 0.7%
-Median rent: $1,106
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
13 / 50-Population: 126,932 (19.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $290,239
--Typical property tax rate: 0.5%
-Median rent: $1,576
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Nagel Photography // Shutterstock
14 / 50-Population: 151,523 (18.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $259,528
--Typical property tax rate: 0.8%
-Median rent: $891
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
15 / 50-Population: 105,193 (16.8% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $305,326
--Typical property tax rate: 1.0%
-Median rent: $1,223
-State taxes on Social Security?: Yes in Minnesota
YuniqueB // Shutterstock
16 / 50-Population: 126,899 (15.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $147,767
--Typical property tax rate: 0.9%
-Median rent: $1,073
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Bravo Charlie Productions // Shutterstock
17 / 50-Population: 100,866 (19.8% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $183,978
--Typical property tax rate: 1.1%
-Median rent: $1,189
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Bonnie Taylor Barry // Shutterstock
18 / 50-Population: 139,823 (15.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.5% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $218,241
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $1,342
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
19 / 50-Population: 220,310 (21.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.5% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $277,859
--Typical property tax rate: 0.7%
-Median rent: $1,408
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
20 / 50-Population: 183,680 (18.4% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.7% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $200,603
--Typical property tax rate: 0.6%
-Median rent: $1,391
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
21 / 50-Population: 77,278 (17.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.7% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $256,856
--Typical property tax rate: 1.3%
-Median rent: $1,361
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
JMcQ // Shutterstock
22 / 50-Population: 116,427 (19.0% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $165,445
--Typical property tax rate: 0.4%
-Median rent: $998
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
23 / 50-Population: 383,269 (18.6% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 12.9% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $173,540
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $1,351
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Talmon Murphy Jr // Shutterstock
24 / 50-Population: 103,207 (20.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $176,692
--Typical property tax rate: 0.4%
-Median rent: $1,121
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
25 / 50-Population: 419,704 (16.6% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $195,879
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $1,355
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Photo Spirit // Shutterstock
26 / 50-Population: 281,815 (21.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $257,868
--Typical property tax rate: 1.3%
-Median rent: $1,307
-State taxes on Social Security?: Yes in Minnesota
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
27 / 50-Population: 242,975 (17.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $195,318
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $1,066
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
28 / 50-Population: 152,588 (15.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $214,729
--Typical property tax rate: 0.9%
-Median rent: $1,397
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
29 / 50-Population: 125,773 (26.0% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $260,457
--Typical property tax rate: 0.6%
-Median rent: $1,348
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
30 / 50-Population: 124,853 (20.8% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $189,166
--Typical property tax rate: 1.3%
-Median rent: $918
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Steve Collender // Shutterstock
31 / 50-Population: 100,737 (21.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $123,615
--Typical property tax rate: 2.1%
-Median rent: $1,099
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Shoppy22 // Shutterstock
32 / 50-Population: 120,817 (18.0% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.5% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $258,655
--Typical property tax rate: 0.7%
-Median rent: $1,242
-State taxes on Social Security?: Yes in New Mexico
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
33 / 50-Population: 145,451 (18.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.6% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $161,373
--Typical property tax rate: 1.2%
-Median rent: $1,154
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
34 / 50-Population: 98,862 (19.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.7% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $227,274
--Typical property tax rate: 0.7%
-Median rent: $961
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Amilcar Lugo Diaz // Shutterstock
35 / 50-Population: 104,776 (18.6% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $201,616
--Typical property tax rate: 0.5%
-Median rent: $1,456
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Matt Gush // Shutterstock
36 / 50-Population: 148,008 (17.6% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $161,530
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $985
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
37 / 50-Population: 104,184 (16.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $265,873
--Typical property tax rate: 1.1%
-Median rent: $1,115
-State taxes on Social Security?: Yes in Minnesota
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
38 / 50-Population: 62,007 (17.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 13.9% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $137,642
--Typical property tax rate: 0.9%
-Median rent: $1,090
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
SNEHIT PHOTO // Shutterstock
39 / 50-Population: 426,086 (23.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.0% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $167,713
--Typical property tax rate: 1.4%
-Median rent: $1,016
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Real Window Creative // Shutterstock
40 / 50-Population: 232,648 (20.6% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.1% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $217,515
--Typical property tax rate: 1.4%
-Median rent: $1,248
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Sharon Day // Shutterstock
41 / 50-Population: 99,902 (25.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.2% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $244,730
--Typical property tax rate: 0.5%
-Median rent: $1,245
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
42 / 50-Population: 138,152 (15.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.3% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $198,311
--Typical property tax rate: 0.5%
-Median rent: $1,273
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
43 / 50-Population: 207,131 (17.9% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $221,139
--Typical property tax rate: 0.7%
-Median rent: $1,216
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Luisa P Oswalt // Shutterstock
44 / 50-Population: 156,287 (21.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $203,427
--Typical property tax rate: 0.4%
-Median rent: $1,142
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Xackery Irving // Shutterstock
45 / 50-Population: 914,820 (12.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $189,549
--Typical property tax rate: 1.8%
-Median rent: $1,162
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
46 / 50-Population: 313,876 (23.3% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.6% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $239,740
--Typical property tax rate: 0.6%
-Median rent: $1,333
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
47 / 50-Population: 145,576 (18.2% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.7% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $176,562
--Typical property tax rate: 1.0%
-Median rent: $1,119
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
48 / 50-Population: 431,874 (14.7% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.8% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $198,914
--Typical property tax rate: 1.6%
-Median rent: $1,507
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Kit Leong // Shutterstock
49 / 50-Population: 232,848 (18.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 14.9% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $194,254
--Typical property tax rate: 0.6%
-Median rent: $1,064
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
Matt Gush // Shutterstock
50 / 50-Population: 221,921 (18.1% aged 65+)
-Cost of living: 16.4% below the U.S. average
-Median home price: $158,222
--Typical property tax rate: Not available
-Median rent: $1,012
-State taxes on Social Security?: None
