Make money work for you!

  • Home
  • Personal Finance
  • Budgeting
  • Shopping
  • Taxes

10 Worst States to Live on Just a Social Security Check

December 20, 2022 · Personal Finance
stimulus check
Photo by Lucky-photographer from shutterstock.com

2. California

  • Cost-of-living index: 142.2
  • Average one-bedroom rent (January 2022): $1,652

California is a captivating place full of travel destinations due to its natural beauty, coastlines, theme parks, and vibrant towns not seen anywhere else on Earth. Truth be told, the Golden State is perhaps the most renowned state in America, and many people visit this place for its lifestyle, landscape, as well as other activities.

Financially speaking, the average household income for seniors is significantly above average, yet plenty of seniors are unable to handle the heavy burden: 1 in 10 residents age 65 and older are living in poverty. But not just that: excluding the Social Security benefits, retirement income is fully taxable.

With above-average costs in almost every cost-of-living category and a housing index above 200, California has earned its reputation as a high-cost retirement place. If you’re planning to retire on Social Security checks alone, the California dream will likely remain just that.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

52 comments on “10 Worst States to Live on Just a Social Security Check”

  1. Ed Dale says:
    January 7, 2026 at 9:39 am

    I left Taxachusetts 50 years ago. Moved to Alaska!!!! Best thing I ever did. No personal State income tax!!! No State sales tax. Yes it gets cold and dark in winter. But summers are beautiful. Warmth and all the sunlight. It’s home!!!!!! HOME is where you make it. Playing golf at midnight is awesome!!! Each year eligible citizens get a Permanent Fund Dividend check from the State from the oil revenues received from oil revenue taxes. But the best part is the beauty of it all. Hunting, fishing, scenery, the people. It’s just different from the Lower 48!!!!!

    Reply
  2. LINDA STEPHENS says:
    February 3, 2025 at 1:41 am

    That isn’t a picture of Washington. That is Washington, DC. Duh???

    Reply
  3. Betty says:
    February 2, 2025 at 2:33 pm

    You forgot Texas. Even the winter Texans commented on how higher prices are, then at home.

    Reply
  4. Shelly Weger says:
    January 7, 2025 at 2:46 am

    Take me off the Lists!

    Reply
  5. Robert Morris says:
    January 6, 2025 at 9:00 pm

    By the way, Washington D.C. is not in the state of Washington. The Washington Monument shown in the picture is in Washington D.C.

    Reply
Se încarcă comentarii...

Nu mai există comentarii de afișat.

Search

Latest Posts

  • A warm, candid photo of a smiling senior woman at a market checkout counter, handing a canvas bag to a cashier in soft morning light. The Best Retail Discounts Available to Seniors
  • An elegant watercolor and ink illustration depicting stylized plants representing different income streams like fixed income and dividends. The Supplemental Income Sources Available Today
  • An older woman sits thoughtfully at her kitchen table looking at a paper bill in warm afternoon light. What a Smaller COLA Could Mean for Your Budget
  • Gouache illustration of a couple nurturing a golden plant protected by a glass dome labeled Tax-Free Shield. The Retirement Planning Move That Pays Off Later
  • A retired couple confidently reviews financial documents together in their sunlit, cozy living room. How to Protect Your Retirement Income From Inflation
  • A stylized risograph illustration of a giant red balloon with a percent sign pulling a shopping cart upward as a person tries to hold it dow What Happens If Inflation Keeps Rising?
  • The Retirement Income Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands The Retirement Income Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands
  • An older couple sitting at a wooden kitchen table reviewing their finances with a calculator and bank statements in warm morning light. Could Your Social Security Check Change Next Year?
  • A warm, textured paper collage showing scissors trimming a receipt alongside icons of a house, car, and grocery basket. 7 Purchases Retirees Are Cutting Back On
  • An illustration of a classic mailbox with an envelope reading 'Social Security Update: Proposed Boost' under warm morning light. Congress Is Considering a Bigger Social Security Raise Than the COLA - Here's What We Know

Newsletter

Get money-saving tips and personal finance advice delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

unemployment

7 Clever Ways to Use Unemployment Benefits

A person tracks their budget on a smartphone next to a checklist, staying organized while…

Read More →
A woman looks thoughtfully at a tablet in a modern kitchen, representing financial planning for rising costs.

Unfortunately, We’ll Pay More for These 6 Things in 2026

While general inflation has cooled, 2026 brings sharp price hikes in 6 key areas—from health…

Read More →
warehouse

10 Things You Should Always Buy in Bulk at Warehouse Clubs

Theme parks and other special event tickets While we’ve already tackled the subject of movie…

Read More →
Donald Trump Money Secrets tax plans tariff

Trump’s 2025 Tax Plans: What He HIDES From You

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Donald Trump’s second presidency represents completely different things…

Read More →
Antique Selling Platform

Top 7 Best Antique Selling Platforms to Get the Most Money

Timeless treasures like these leather-bound books and silver pocket watch are perfect candidates for rehoming…

Read More →
An infographic titled 'The Subscription Leak' showing a funnel of money with data points about household subscription costs.

8 Subscription Services Americans Are Quietly Replacing With Cheaper Alternatives

Learn how to cut your monthly expenses by replacing overpriced subscription services with high-quality, budget-friendly…

Read More →
Airbnb

Have an Airbnb? Raise Your Profits in 8 Easy Steps!

A smiling woman relaxes on a green sofa with her tablet, discovering easy ways to…

Read More →

9 Retirement Communities With Surprisingly Low HOA Fees

8. Rancho Resort (Sahuarita, Arizona) Situated just south of Tucson, Rancho Resort provides an upscale…

Read More →
Social Security

The 4 Worst Ages to Claim Social Security (—and What to Do Instead)

Deciding when it’s the right time to start your Social Security must be one of…

Read More →
The Money Place

Make money work for you!

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@ineditagency.com

Trust & Legal

  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Private Policy

Categories

  • Budgeting
  • Personal Finance
  • Shopping
  • Taxes

© 2026 The Money Place. All rights reserved.