Adults 65 and older who want to live alone in a North Texas rental property must have over $36,000 annually to live independently, according to the Elder Index created by researchers at the Gerontology Institute in the University of Massachusetts Boston. 

The index is a measure of the basic income older residents need to live securely, based on the cost of essentials in various parts of the U.S. It shows how an elderly resident with a modest Social Security benefit and a small pension could get by in some low-cost locations but struggle financially in other areas where costs are greater. 

The basic income needs of older adults in North Texas are much higher than the state average of $32,000. Texas now ranks among the top 10 for the highest share of adults living below the level established by the Elder Index. 

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The income estimate covers a no-frills, bare-bones budget, said Caitlin Coyle, director of the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging at the Gerontology Institute. “So this doesn’t include debt, it doesn’t include travel or going out to eat or any kind of discretionary spending at all… People are likely needing even more.”

Diane Shields stands in her driveway and looks down her block in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. When Shields retired 12 years ago, she spent much of her retirement savings on fixing up her trailer home and Kia sedan hoping she would not outlive the repairs, she said.

Diane Shields stands in her driveway and looks down her block in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. When Shields retired 12 years ago, she spent much of her retirement savings on fixing up her trailer home and Kia sedan hoping she would not outlive the repairs, she said.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDiane Shields, 77, sits at her kitchen table and looks out the window in Fort Worth on March 20, 2026. Shields said she bought her trailer home 24 years ago because she “fell in love with the windows in the kitchen.” Floor tiles are now peeling away in the kitchen. Years ago, she tried to replace the tiles while making minor repairs to her home. However, they would not come up she said.

Diane Shields, 77, sits at her kitchen table and looks out the window in Fort Worth on March 20, 2026. Shields said she bought her trailer home 24 years ago because she “fell in love with the windows in the kitchen.” Floor tiles are now peeling away in the kitchen. Years ago, she tried to replace the tiles while making minor repairs to her home. However, they would not come up she said.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsHospice nurse Sabrina Menendez listens to patient Diane Shields’ heart during a home visit in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. Shields has been on hospice for two years. She said she recently started feeling impacts from her illness and is no longer able to complete DIY repairs to her home.

Hospice nurse Sabrina Menendez listens to patient Diane Shields’ heart during a home visit in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. Shields has been on hospice for two years. She said she recently started feeling impacts from her illness and is no longer able to complete DIY repairs to her home.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDiane Shields places her bare feet on the ground in her backyard before rocking on a large swing she uses to watch birds in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026. “It feels good to touch nature, doesn’t it?” she said.

Diane Shields places her bare feet on the ground in her backyard before rocking on a large swing she uses to watch birds in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026. “It feels good to touch nature, doesn’t it?” she said.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDiane Shields rocks on a swing in her backyard and watches a sparrow flutter through trees towards a bird feeder she refills daily in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026.

Diane Shields rocks on a swing in her backyard and watches a sparrow flutter through trees towards a bird feeder she refills daily in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsTree branches provide shade for 77-year-old Diane Shields as she rocks in a swing in her yard in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026. Shields loves her backyard which shares a fence with a construction machinery rental company and is semi-private.

Tree branches provide shade for 77-year-old Diane Shields as she rocks in a swing in her yard in Fort Worth, April 10, 2026. Shields loves her backyard which shares a fence with a construction machinery rental company and is semi-private.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsScott Wheeler, 62, sits on his bed in his apartment and listens to a Social Security Administration representative explain what his monthly benefits will be during a phone appointment to apply early in Dallas, April 7, 2026. About two years ago, Wheeler was laid off from his job of 25 years. He started DoorDashing after spending all of his severance and 401(k) savings which he said totaled about $57,000.

Scott Wheeler, 62, sits on his bed in his apartment and listens to a Social Security Administration representative explain what his monthly benefits will be during a phone appointment to apply early in Dallas, April 7, 2026. About two years ago, Wheeler was laid off from his job of 25 years. He started DoorDashing after spending all of his severance and 401(k) savings which he said totaled about $57,000.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsDoorDash driver Scott Wheeler circles around Preston Center searching for a parking spot and waits for a new delivery order in Dallas, March 31, 2026. Wheeler tries to make $100 a day through the app. His days vary from four to 10 hours and sometimes he falls short of making even half his goal.

DoorDash driver Scott Wheeler circles around Preston Center searching for a parking spot and waits for a new delivery order in Dallas, March 31, 2026. Wheeler tries to make $100 a day through the app. His days vary from four to 10 hours and sometimes he falls short of making even half his goal.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsScott Wheeler takes a photo of an order he’s picking up at a taco restaurant in Dallas, March 31, 2026.

Scott Wheeler takes a photo of an order he’s picking up at a taco restaurant in Dallas, March 31, 2026.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsScott Wheeler opens his DoorDash food bag and secures a delivery order in the bed of his truck in Dallas, March 31, 2026. The drink rides in his truck cabin’s cupholder.

Scott Wheeler opens his DoorDash food bag and secures a delivery order in the bed of his truck in Dallas, March 31, 2026. The drink rides in his truck cabin’s cupholder.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsScott Wheeler crosses his fingers hoping to make it through a stop light because his food delivery is due in three minutes in Dallas, March 31, 2026. Wheeler has a 97 percent DoorDash driver rating and is striving to achieve 100 percent. He hopes that he will receive better “offers” or higher paying deliveries with a perfect score.

Scott Wheeler crosses his fingers hoping to make it through a stop light because his food delivery is due in three minutes in Dallas, March 31, 2026. Wheeler has a 97 percent DoorDash driver rating and is striving to achieve 100 percent. He hopes that he will receive better “offers” or higher paying deliveries with a perfect score.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsScott Wheeler makes a food delivery in Dallas, March 31, 2026. After ringing the doorbell and setting food on the door step, he turns to take a photo for the app.

Scott Wheeler makes a food delivery in Dallas, March 31, 2026. After ringing the doorbell and setting food on the door step, he turns to take a photo for the app.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning NewsSabrina Wellman, 56, helps her mother Diane Shields, 77, sit down in her lounge chair during a visit to Shield’s Fort Worth home, April 10, 2026. Shields said, if she gets to a point where cannot care for herself, her cats or home, Wellman has offered have her mother move into her house in Rowlett.

Sabrina Wellman, 56, helps her mother Diane Shields, 77, sit down in her lounge chair during a visit to Shield’s Fort Worth home, April 10, 2026. Shields said, if she gets to a point where cannot care for herself, her cats or home, Wellman has offered have her mother move into her house in Rowlett.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News

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Across Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties, the Elder Index for single renters in relatively good health has increased more than 60%, or roughly $15,000, since 2015. 

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In Collin County especially, elderly residents face the highest income requirements. A single older adult in good health and renting independently must have about $37,000 to make ends meet, while an elderly couple with a mortgage must have over $58,000. 

The average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers was about $2,000 in 2025, or under $25,000 a year, according to data from the Social Security Administration. The difference indicates that older North Texans who are predominantly relying on Social Security income are falling short by more than $10,000 a year. 

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Meanwhile, with the federal poverty line at about $16,000, the Elder Index line shows nearly a third of older adults in Texas are living in the gap below the minimum required income. This means they don’t have enough to meet the minimum expenses for living independently in the state and they don’t qualify for aid programs available to those below the poverty line. 

Scott Wheeler is reflected in a mirror as he looks at a photo of his late parents in his Dallas apartment, April 11, 2026. Wheeler’s home is filled with vintage records, family and 60s era political memorabilia. He pays $675 a month in rent and is worried the building will be redeveloped, pricing him out and potentially making him homeless.

Scott Wheeler is reflected in a mirror as he looks at a photo of his late parents in his Dallas apartment, April 11, 2026. Wheeler’s home is filled with vintage records, family and 60s era political memorabilia. He pays $675 a month in rent and is worried the building will be redeveloped, pricing him out and potentially making him homeless.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News

It’s a story of fragility, Coyle noted, in terms of the world around us increasing in cost and volatility. 

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“People on fixed income – particularly older adults – just aren’t in a position to absorb that kind of financial uncertainty,” she said. So, if something does come up, they have hard choices to make. 

“It’s the difference between driving to church on Sunday vs. not going because you need the gas to go to the doctor on Tuesday,” Coyle said. “Older adults become really resourceful in terms of staying within a budget, but that can sometimes be at the cost of quality of life.”

Diane Shields turns on a lamp in her bedroom in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. The roof is sagging which caused the ceiling to cave in she said. Repairs were made but the roof is still compromised causing it to leak and ceiling tiles to fall when it rains.

Diane Shields turns on a lamp in her bedroom in Fort Worth, March 25, 2026. The roof is sagging which caused the ceiling to cave in she said. Repairs were made but the roof is still compromised causing it to leak and ceiling tiles to fall when it rains.

Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News

This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Lisa and Charles Siegel, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.