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Social Security Alone May Not Be Enough: A Look at Retirement Budgets for Married Couples
Relying solely on Social Security for a comfortable retirement is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for married couples. According to new research from GOBankingRates, benefits may only last a fraction of the month in various major U.S. cities. On average, these benefits can cover expenses for up to 19 days, but in some areas, they may run out in under 10 days.
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GOBankingRates examined the top U.S. cities by population and assessed the average Social Security benefits for married couples alongside local living costs.
Key Insights
- In six cities, Social Security benefits deplete in under 10 days: Irvine, California (6.73 days); Fremont, California (7.02 days); San Jose, California (7.50 days); San Francisco (7.91 days); Honolulu (8.32 days); and San Diego (9.59 days).
- California leads the list with 15 cities, including Irvine, Fremont, San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Anaheim making the top 10.
- While benefits last only 6.73 days in Irvine, Stockton is where they last longest in California, covering up to 17.98 days.
- Saint Petersburg, Florida, ranked last at 50th position, with benefits lasting a commendable 19.38 days for married couples.
Continue reading to learn which cities quickly exhaust Social Security benefits for couples and where they last the longest.
1. Irvine, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 6.73
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $9,794
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $322
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2. Fremont, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 7.02
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $9,279
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $305
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3. San Jose, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 7.50
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $8,506
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $280
4. San Francisco, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 7.91
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $7,918
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $260
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 8.32
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $7,383
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $243
6. San Diego, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 9.59
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $6,040
- Daily living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $199
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7. Los Angeles, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 10.38
- Monthly living cost for a couple (post-Social Security): $5,368
- Total daily cost of living for a couple (post-Social Security): $178
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Cost of Living Insights: How Far Social Security Benefits Stretch in Major U.S. Cities
8. Arlington, Virginia
- Survival Days with Social Security: 10.46
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $5,307
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $174
9. Anaheim, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.15
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,807
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $158
10. Seattle, Washington
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.26
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,733
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $156
11. Long Beach, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.34
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,681
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $154
12. Scottsdale, Arizona
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.37
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,662
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $153
13. Chula Vista, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.45
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,609
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $152
14. New York City, New York
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.48
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,589
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $151
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15. Oakland, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.81
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,385
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $144
16. Santa Ana, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.90
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,326
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $142
17. Santa Clarita, California
- Survival Days with Social Security: 11.99
- Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple: $4,278
- Daily Living Expenses for a Couple: $142
Understanding the Cost of Living for Couples Across Major U.S. Cities
The financial landscape for couples can vary widely based on location. In this article, we examine the monthly and daily costs of living for couples in several major cities in the United States, factoring in Social Security benefits.
18. Boston
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 12.23
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,135
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $136
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19. Washington, D.C.
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 13.21
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,626
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $119
20. Miami
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 14.05
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,242
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $107
21. Jersey City, New Jersey
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 14.18
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,187
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $105
22. Riverside, California
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 14.32
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,128
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $103
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23. Denver
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 15.37
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,724
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $90
24. Gilbert, Arizona
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 15.61
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,639
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $87
25. Austin, Texas
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 16.14
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,461
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $81
26. Reno, Nevada
- Days Social Security lasts per month for a married couple: 16.17
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,451
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $81
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Understanding Cost of Living for Couples Across U.S. Cities
Portland, Oregon
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 16.18
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,447
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $80
Chandler, Arizona
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 16.52
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,341
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $77
Newark, New Jersey
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 16.69
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,288
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $75
Plano, Texas
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 16.91
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,221
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $73
Henderson, Nevada
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 16.92
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,219
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $73
Sacramento, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 17.04
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,182
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $72
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 17.13
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $2,156
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $71
Stockton, California
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 17.98
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $1,924
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $63
Boise, Idaho
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 18.01
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $1,917
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $63
Las Vegas, Nevada
- Days Social Security lasts for a married couple each month: 18.05
- Total monthly cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $1,907
- Total daily cost of living (after Social Security benefits): $63
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Top Locations for Retirement: A Review of Cost of Living and Social Security Sustainability
37. Anchorage, Alaska
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.18
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,872
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $62
38. Atlanta, Georgia
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.22
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,861
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $61
39. Mesa, Arizona
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.42
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,812
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $60
40. Nashville, Tennessee
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.51
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,789
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $59
41. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.69
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,745
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $57
42. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.74
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,734
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $57
43. Phoenix, Arizona
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.83
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,713
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $56
44. North Las Vegas, Nevada
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 18.93
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,688
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $55
45. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 19.00
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,672
- Daily Living Costs for a Couple (Post Social Security): $55
46. Glendale, Arizona
- Days Social Security Covers a Married Couple Each Month: 19.00
- Total Monthly Living Expenses for a Couple (Post Social Security): $1,672
Learn More: Understanding Retirement Costs Across States
How Long Can Couples Live on Social Security Alone in 50 U.S. Cities?
Understanding the cost of living in various cities is crucial for couples relying solely on Social Security benefits. Here’s a closer look at the months ahead for 50 major locations across America.
47. Orlando, Florida
- Days Social Security will last a married couple: 19.07
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $1,655
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $54
48. Chesapeake, Virginia
- Days Social Security will last a married couple: 19.17
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $1,631
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $54
49. Madison, Wisconsin
- Days Social Security will last a married couple: 19.20
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $1,625
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $53
50. Saint Petersburg, Florida
- Days Social Security will last a married couple: 19.38
- Monthly cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $1,584
- Daily cost of living for a couple (after benefits): $52
Methodology: GOBankingRates assessed the top 100 U.S. cities by population per U.S. Census data to determine how long Social Security supports a couple. This analysis included city population, household data, and cost-of-living indices from Sperling’s BestPlaces. Cost calculations were based on national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with home value data from Zillow. The average Social Security benefits sourced from August 2024 for couples were also factored. All data reflects the situation as of November 1, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Long You Could Last on Nothing but Social Security in 50 Major Cities
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