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
Massachusetts
Photo by Sean Pavone from Shutterstock

4. Massachusetts

  • Cost-of-living index: 135.0
  • Average one-bedroom rent (January 2022): $1,385

Beautiful New England foliage, the Islands, the impossible-to-replicate Boston accent, and elite schools like Harvard are all things that come to mind when you think of Massachusetts. But retirees who live there on just a Social Security check may tell you how difficult it is to stay afloat.

Unfortunately, living there is not inexpensive. Residents of only four states are dealing with higher housing costs than those who call Massachusetts home. Basically, pretty much everything costs more than the national average in the New England state, with not just housing, but healthcare and groceries being especially pricey.

And though the average household income for retirees is high, taxes can significantly reduce those earnings.

Keep reading to discover the top 3 worst states to live on just a Social Security check!

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Your email address will not be published.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 retired couple reviews tax documents and a tablet together at a sunlit kitchen table in a candid, domestic scene. 6 Tax Breaks Retirees Almost Always Forget to Claim
  • A senior man looks concerned while checking his smartphone at a kitchen table in the early morning light. How to Spot a Financial Scam Targeting Seniors Before It's Too Late
  • A conceptual mixed-media collage showing a 2026 dollar bill being stretched between two drafting tools, symbolizing financial planning. 7 Ways to Stretch Your Retirement Dollar Further in 2026
  • A senior couple at a sunlit kitchen table reviewing Medicare documents and a laptop in a realistic, home setting. The Biggest Medicare Mistakes Seniors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
  • A person in their late 50s thoughtfully reviews Social Security paperwork at a sunlit kitchen table with a laptop and coffee. Social Security Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands in Retirement
  • IRS refund IRS Pandemic Refund Window Extended: See If You Qualify!
  • disabilities Are You Eligible to Receive Disability SSA Benefits? (2026 Guide)
  • How the Iran War Could Impact Social Security and Senior Budgets
  • 10 Most Valuable American Dimes (And What Makes Them Worth So Much)
  • check Social Security SSI $994 Payment for May 2026: Deposit Date, Eligibility, and Who Qualifies

Newsletter

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

Related Articles

A person sits at a desk in a home office, working on a laptop, with sunlight illuminating the room.

Part-Time Jobs That Won’t Affect Your Social Security Benefits

A Final Thought: Work on Your Own Terms Working in retirement should be a source…

Read More →
Spaving Trend Social Security

4 Reasons Why the Spaving Trend Is a HUGE Mistake

A red shopping cart overflowing with luxury goods teeters precariously on the sharp edge of…

Read More →
credit card, save

Choose The Right Credit Card With These 4 Tips!

A man sits at a sunlit cafe counter, carefully inspecting a card to see if…

Read More →
reasons to buy an ugly home

6 Reasons Why an Ugly Home Could Be a Steal

Meticulously restoring original features like stained glass is a perfect way to add value and…

Read More →
A graph showing the rising cost of groceries, gas, and utilities over time, alongside a relatively flat line representing fixed retirement income.

The Sneaky Ways Inflation is Eroding Your Retirement Savings

Protecting Your Savings from Inflation: Strategies to Consider After learning about all the ways inflation…

Read More →

How the Iran War Could Impact Social Security and Senior Budgets

Inflation Risks and Long-Term Concerns If tensions involving Iran lead to sustained increases in energy…

Read More →
protect your wallet from inflation

Don’t Let Inflation Drain Your Wallet – Follow These 9 Tips!

A shopper places generic staples into a reusable bag, demonstrating how smart grocery choices can…

Read More →
hobbies

5 Surprising Hobbies That Make Money in Retirement

Proofreader and copyediting If one of your hobbies is reading and you are passionate about…

Read More →
traditional

Looking for Traditional Pensions? Here Are 10 Jobs to Apply For

Nurse Nurses that spend their days caring for other people, alongside 41% of registered nurses…

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.