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

social security safe deposit box, retirement milestones
Photo by polymanu from Shutterstock

12. Salem, Oregon

  • Average 1-bedroom apartment (2022): $979

Salem has a 101.8 cost-of-living index, which makes it the least pricey city to live in on this ranking except for Spokane. It is also one of just three cities with an average rent price below $1,000, a one-bedroom apartment going for just $979 a month. Despite its low livability score of 69, Salem seems to be a great place for retirees who rely on just Social Security checks.

Are you ready to find out the No. 1 least expensive West Coast city to rent an apartment? Those retirees who live on just Social Security checks would want to know about it!

13. Eugene, Oregon

  • Average 1-bedroom apartment (2022): $928

Those retired couples who struggle with high rent prices while living on just Social Security checks can rest because the West Coast doesn’t always have to be extremely expensive.

Eugene’s cost-of-living index is 105.3, being even more affordable than Bremerton’s. The main reason for that is its low rent price — more, precisely, $928 a month, making it the cheapest in the entire ranking. So, what do you say about a three-figure monthly rent?

Still, Eugene holds a livability score of 65, partially because of its high crime rate. Keep that in mind when considering relocating.

It may take a while to find one of the best cities to live in, but one thing is for certain, some of them are not the best bet for you! Make sure to check them out here: 10 Worst States to Live on Social Security Check Alone.

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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).

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