Search
Close this search box.

13 Best West Coast Cities for Couples To Live on JUST a Social Security Check

social security check
Image By Russ Heinl From Shutterstock

5. Anchorage, Alaska

  • Average 1-bedroom rent (2022): $1,176

You’ve probably heard that Anchorage has some amazing, beautiful mountain views. But did you know that there are also some of the lowest property taxes in the US there? It’s quite favorable compared with other West Coast cities, especially for those who live solely on Social Security checks.

Still, even by Alaska standards, real estate prices and crime in Anchorage are high, leading to the city’s gloomy livability score of 60. Despite the fact that the average one-bedroom apartment there costs $1,176 a month — being one of the least costly in this ranking — Anchorage residents still face a high cost-of-living index of 123.5.

No matter where you would like to relocate, on just the Social Security check or more, it is good to scout the area beforehand. If Alaska is a place of interest for you, make sure that you travel there to see the area as soon as possible. Here is the best Alaska Travel Guide you can get on Amazon!

6. Napa, California

  • Average 1-bedroom rent (2022): $1,522

Napa, known for its famous, gorgeous vineyards, holds a cost-of-living index that is as high as its wine prices — 162.1, second to Seattle. That can only mean one thing: living in Napa is quite pricey. It’s one of only four places of the bunch where for the average one-bedroom apartment you’ll have to pay more than $1,500. When it comes to quality of life, Napa has a livability score of 70 — right in the middle of this list.

30 Responses

  1. I need help to lower my phone internet bill I have AT&T land line. my last bill was $134. my income is 526 dollers A month. do think I need help? plus water and electric.

    1. Yes, I’d get Wi-Fi from my local cable company and get a consumer cellular phone for about $30 month. Your local library has classes on how to use cell phones.

    2. Dear Joe, dump AT&T and go with Consumer Cellular… I’ve been using it for several years and it’s at a great price! (Just over $30 per month)

  2. This must be a joke! It says couples! What happened if your spouse is deceased and you’re living on your own. There’s no way you can afford a one bedroom place and pay for all the rest of your bills, plus buy groceries and medical and that includes medication for the month on your social security alone. If you can I’m very happy that you are able to.

    1. Deb,

      Yes, some people get a very nice social security check. If the shoe fits. The add is for those who CAN.
      For instance, I know a retired attorney who gets a whooping 5k monthly from Social Security and a nurse who gets 3,500.00 now they can it depends on how much money you made in your lifetime.

    2. Makes perfect sense what you are saying! The alternative plan if you are living by yourself would be to go and live among the homeless? They are pretty easy on them in California.

    3. Yes, I do exactly that. I pay all my bills at the beginning of the month. I am 70 years old and single. I live in a Senior Independant Living facility and have a Medicare Advantage Plan. Both of these facts contribute greatly to my caliber of living.

  3. This is funny received 800.00 a month in my SS check because I have to pay taxes up front and I can not afford even to live in USA I’m in Mexico because I don’t have money to pay all the bills

  4. As the cost-of-living continues to go up those of us on fixed income, continue to struggle. The same income that satisfied me a short, six years ago now barely supports me. I’ve gone from shopping at regular grocery stores to shopping at discount grocery stores. From shopping at target and Walmart to shopping at secondhand stores. Not necessarily because I wanted to because economy has forced me to. It’s also becoming more difficult to live alone financially at least.

  5. Sadly, I have decided to leave the country of my birth (US), because of the high cost of living. I will be moving to Colombia where I am by their standards a ‘Millionair’.

  6. You mentioned couples.
    How about “something” for singles !! What can you give us in a 1 bedroom apt
    for under $1000.00 a month ? Those prices you listed are still too high for a low-income senior !!

  7. I thought that Alaska as beautiful as it is ? was very expensive?! When did that change. Isn’t high crime also?

  8. I live in southeastern PA. My monthly social security is $1,928 (my only income as a single woman). My monthly rent for a decent-sized one-bedroom apt. is $810. My cable (which includes TV and computer) is $225/month. During the summer, my electric bill goes from around $50/month to $200/month because I live on 2 floors and need to keep window air-conditioners running on both floors. Today, the temperature in my 3rd floor bedroom was almost 90 degrees until I turned on the air-conditioner up there. My phone bill is around $60/month (for an android phone I bought 4 yrs. ago). I drive a 23-year-old car that I paid $5,000 cash for around 13 years ago. Only get $23/month EBT (food stamps).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

Related Posts

Cheaper Retirement

12 Things That Get Cheaper When You Retire

Curious About Retirement Savings? Here’s What Gets Cheaper! Retirement is a great opportunity to rediscover ourselves and make the best out of our golden years.