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Your email address will not be published.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

  • Married and Retiring? Here's How to Claim Thousands More in Social Security Benefits
  • An ink and watercolor illustration of a balance scale weighing a glass tip jar against a document labeled federal programs. Here's Who Won and Lost Under Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill" (Where Do You Stand?)
  • Split-screen watercolor illustration showing an older man in a library with a $5,181 check and an older woman in a kitchen with a $2,076 che Morgan Freeman vs. the Average American: Who Gets More in Social Security?
  • An editorial illustration of a person guided through a bank-wall maze away from a basic account door toward a premium fee-paying door. These Banks Are Accused of Pushing Customers Away From Basic Accounts
  • An ink and watercolor illustration of an older couple entering a cozy, sunlit neighborhood diner. The SNAP Restaurant Meals Program: Which States Allow Seniors to Use Benefits at Restaurants
  • A mid-century gouache illustration of a relaxed retired man sitting in a lounge chair with a tablet, balancing work and leisure. 12 Stress-Free Jobs for Retirees With High-Salaries
  • A retired couple relaxing on a stone terrace overlooking a Mediterranean coastal village during sunset, captured in warm film photography. The 30 Best Countries to Spend Your Retirement In – Which One Is Your Favorite?
  • An active retiree in his late 60s working part-time at a sunlit plant nursery greenhouse, watering green seedlings. The Part-Time Jobs With a 401(k) Match That Most Retirees Don't Know Exist
  • A woman sits on a moving box in her urban apartment, looking at a laptop showing scenic mountain relocation programs. These US Towns Will Pay You to Move There
  • An editorial illustration of a mailbox with a Social Security check inside, having a 32% slice snipped off by scissors labeled Medicare. Medicare Part B Ate 32% of Last Year's COLA. Will It Happen Again in 2027?

Newsletter

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

Related Articles

Amazon

Are You Eligible For a Refund From Amazon? Find Out Here!

When Will Refunds Be Sent? Automatic payments began on November 12 and will continue through…

Read More →
Risks, Emergency Fund

New Bill Could Send $600 Tariff Rebates to Millions (See If You Qualify!)

Broader Context and Implications The idea of linking tariff revenue to direct payments to Americans…

Read More →
A woman smiles while holding a check, surrounded by old paperwork and photographs.

Are You Leaving Money on the Table? Unclaimed Pensions and How to Find Yours

Your Next Steps to Financial Peace of Mind You now have a complete roadmap for…

Read More →
A person thoughtfully choosing a card from their wallet at a checkout counter.

5 Places to Avoid Using Your Debit Card and 3 Safe Spots

Protect your money by avoiding these 5 high-risk places for debit cards. Learn about skimming,…

Read More →
A mature couple looking at a tablet together on a sunny patio, appearing confident about their financial future.

Married or Divorced? Don’t Miss This Social Security Tip That Could Increase Your Checks

Married, divorced, or widowed? You could be missing out on thousands in Social Security. Learn…

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 →
risky jobs

5 Risky Jobs Where You Can Earn a Lot of Money

The thing about most dangerous jobs is that the pay often doesn’t come close to…

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 →
A high-end desk setup with a Social Security card and a gold pen, representing presidential financial benefits.

Is Trump on Social Security? A Look at Presidential Benefits

Does Donald Trump collect Social Security? We break down presidential benefits, the $250k pension, and…

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.