25 U.S. Cities Where Retirees Can Live Well On Social Security—For Under $2000 A Month

A new report reveals the best U.S. cities where you can live well on under $2,000 a month—and Florida dominates the list.

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Many Americans dream of retiring abroad to places where the dollar stretches further—whether it’s moving overseas to start a new chapter, living someplace much cheaper than the U.S. or finding the easiest countries to get second citizenship. But a new report from GoBankingRates on the best places to retire in the U.S. shows that you don’t need to move overseas to find an affordable place to live, even if you’re relying mainly on Social Security.

The average Social Security check hovers around $2,000 per month and is the primary source of income for millions of retirees—yet it barely covers housing, food and healthcare in many cities. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which sources its data from Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. household aged 65+ spends about $4,345 per month.

GoBankingRates has addressed this challenge with a ranking that identifies 25 places in the U.S. where retirees can live well, enjoy warm weather and keep monthly expenses comfortably under the $2,000 mark.

The skyline of downtown Tallahassee, Florida, which ranks as the best place to retire in the U.S., offering affordable living costs and plenty of sunshine.

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To determine the best (and most affordable) places to retire in the U.S., the personal finance site examined factors like population size, the percentage of residents over 65, cost of living, climate conditions and livability (using AreaVibes’ livability index scores). Data sources included the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow housing indices, Federal Reserve Economic Data and the Social Security Administration. All data was collected as of July 14, 2025.

The Best U.S. City For Affordable Retirement

Topping the list as the cheapest place to retire in the U.S.: Tallahassee, Florida. The state capital offers a blend of affordability and recreation. Retirees who rent can expect a monthly cost of living around $995, while the average cost of living for homeowners is $1,248—which is well below the national average, and even below the national average for housing. In fact, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that households headed by someone 65 or older spend about $1,787 per month on housing alone.

St. Marks Lighthouse near Tallahassee, Florida. The capital city ranks number one on the list of the best and most affordable places to retire in the U.S.

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About 11% of the city’s population is retirement age, and the cost of living comes in nearly 10% lower than average for older Americans.

The city’s livability score is 85 out of 100. Tallahassee offers a great lifestyle with parks, hiking trails, cultural attractions and a thriving nightlife scene. The weather is also pleasant: Winters are mild, with highs in the mid-60s, though summers can be hot and humid.

The State That Dominated The List

No surprise: Florida dominates the ranking of the cheapest places to retire in the U.S., with eight cities in the top 25. Besides a low cost of living and high livability scores, Florida’s lack of state income tax is a huge draw. According to Kiplinger’s 2025 Tax Guide, retirees in states with no income tax (like Florida, Texas and Nevada) can save thousands per year compared to high-tax states like California or New York, where state income taxes can run from 6% to over 10%.

That said, it also should be noted that in big cities with good public transportation like New York or Boston, that can help the bottom line since transportation is another major expense. According to date, households headed by someone 65 or older spend about $753 a month in transportation, making it the second-largest category after housing.

Fort Myers ranks No. 2 with a livability score of 85 and one of the largest retiree populations in the nation at 22%. While its cost of living is about 4% higher than the national average, the monthly cost of living for homeowners is around $1,746 a month, while it’s around $1,468 for renters.

An aerial view of Fort Myers, Florida—ranked one of the best and most affordable places to retire in the U.S.”

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Jacksonville comes in at No. 4 with a livability score of 84. Retiree homeowners average $1,197 per month, while renters spend $1,073. With coastal living, adventure and nightlife—and costs about 4% below the national average—it’s one of the best-value big cities in the Sunshine State.

Pensacola follows at No. 5 with a livability score of 83. Homeowners spend about $929 a month and renters about $1,136. With costs 11% lower than the national average, plus pristine white-sand beaches and a thriving arts scene, it’s one of Florida’s most affordable coastal towns.

Other Florida cities in the top 25 include Orlando (at No. 13), Daytona Beach (16), Tampa (19) and Lakeland (25).

Affordable Retirement Cities In The Rest Of The U.S.

Beyond Florida, the next most represented state is Texas, which offers some of the most attractive cities in the U.S. for retirees on Social Security. There are five Texas cities in the top 25, including El Paso (No. 9), Dallas (10), San Antonio (14), Corpus Christi (15) and Midland (22). Texas also appeals to retirees with low housing costs, a warm climate and no state income tax.

The skyline of El Paso, Texas at dusk with Juarez, Mexico in the distance. El Paso is one of the cheapest places to retire in the U.S.

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The Southeast is another retirement hot spot. Besides Florida and Texas, the Carolinas and Georgia have several cities on the list. In North Carolina, there’s Raleigh (at No. 3) and Charlotte (18). South Carolina lands two cities with Greenville (at No. 6) and Columbia (21). In Georgia, Athens ranks 17 and Savannah comes in at 12.

In contrast, only three Northern cities make the cut—Providence, Rhode Island (No. 8), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (20) and New Haven, Connecticut (24)—showing how the South leads when it comes to affordable retirement living.

The only Western city to crack the list is Las Vegas at No. 7, with monthly costs of $2,089 for homeowners and $1,203 for renters. The abundant entertainment adds to the appeal, plus the cheaper healthcare: While the overall cost of living in Las Vegas is 10% higher than the national average, healthcare is about 7% cheaper. This is significant, since healthcare is one of the biggest retirement costs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age 65+ household spends $7,540 annually on healthcare, which represents approximately 13% of total household expenditures for that age group.

Bottom line: Retirees don’t need to move overseas. The U.S. offers some of the best places to retire affordably right at home.

Sunset on a Florida beach. With eight cities in the top 25, Florida leads the ranking of the best places to retire affordably.

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Ranked: 25 Best U.S. Cities To Retire Affordably

Tallahassee, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Raleigh, North Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Greenville, South Carolina
Las Vegas, Nevada
Providence, Rhode Island
El Paso, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Norfolk, Virginia
Savannah, Georgia
Orlando, Florida
San Antonio, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Daytona Beach, Florida
Athens, Georgia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tampa, Florida
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Columbia, South Carolina
Midland, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia
New Haven, Connecticut
Lakeland, Florida

25 U.S. Cities Where Retirees Can Live Well On Social Security—For Under $2000 A Month

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