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Your email address will not be published.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

  • Risograph illustration of a person relaxing on a medical cross bench under a large clock, symbolizing part-time hours with health benefits. The Part-Time Jobs That Come With Unexpected Health Insurance
  • An older woman in a cream sweater happily working on a laptop at a rustic wooden dining table in a sunlit home. The Best Platforms for Finding Remote Work After Retirement
  • Watercolor illustration showing a collage of retirement activities: hiking, theater binoculars, and movie tickets. Entertainment Discounts for Retirees: Movies, Museums, and More
  • A smiling retired woman sitting at a sunny kitchen table working on her laptop with a cup of coffee. 15 Online Jobs for Retirees That Pay $20+ Per Hour From Home
  • An older woman sits at a warm, sunlit kitchen table reviewing a printed beneficiary designation document. Financial Advisors Say Retirees Should Check This Document Immediately
  • An older man sitting at a sunlit kitchen table, marking dates on a paper calendar next to a coffee mug. Social Security Updates Taking Effect in July 2026 - What Retirees Should Expect
  • A close-up photograph of a hand in a flannel sleeve pumping gas into a green car at a quiet station during a misty dawn. The Worst Time to Fill Up Your Tank - and the Better Days to Buy Gas
  • 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

Newsletter

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

Related Articles

disabilities

Are You Eligible to Receive Disability SSA Benefits? (2026 Guide)

Common Conditions That May Qualify The SSA recognizes a wide range of medical conditions that…

Read More →
A man in his 70s sits at his kitchen table reviewing a 2026 retirement distribution on a tablet next to his Social Security statement.

Your 2026 RMD Could Affect Social Security Benefits – Here’s How

Learn how your 2026 required minimum distributions trigger taxes on your Social Security benefits and…

Read More →
credit card

Have A Credit Card? Here Are 10 Times You Should Use It With Confidence

Grace period When you proceed on making a debit card purchase, your money will be…

Read More →
Debt Free Lifestyle Habit

10 Best Debt Relief Programs for Seniors

9. Bankruptcy Options for Seniors While often viewed negatively, bankruptcy can be a responsible financial…

Read More →
cost of living

Top 11 US States Rated by the Cost of Living

New Jersey Another not-so-friendly state for retirement is New Jersey. The state marks a high…

Read More →
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?

Discover what happens when inflation keeps rising and learn practical strategies to protect your purchasing…

Read More →
prepare for a recession

6 Essential Steps to Prepare for a Recession!

Nowadays, with the rise of inflation and overall financial instability, it might be a good…

Read More →
money can buy happiness, Trump presidency

The Joy Equation: 6 Ways Money Can Buy Happiness

Friends share a bountiful sunset dinner, proving that investing in meaningful experiences and good food…

Read More →
An interior shot of a modern, well-lit, smaller home, showcasing minimal furnishings and a sense of calm and spaciousness.

Should You Downsize Your Home in Retirement? The Financial Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions About Downsizing in Retirement The decision to downsize brings up many questions.…

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.