New analysis from GOBankingRates shows Social Security lasts fewer than 10 days in six cities; lasts more than a month in four
New data from GOBankingRates shows that across 50 major U.S. cities, trying to make it on Social Security income alone in retirement won’t get you through a month before the money runs out. The analysis shows a couple’s Social Security benefits could stretch up to 19 days, but in six major cities Social Security runs out in less than 10 days.
The worst state to try living on Social Security alone? California. That’s where it runs out the fastest, with four cities at the top (bottom?) of the list. One big city in Hawaii interrupts California’s run at the No. 5 spot, but the sixth city where it runs out in less than 10 days is also in California. As are seven of the top 10 overall.
GOBankingRates analyzed the top 100 U.S. cities by population and sourced the average Social Security benefits for married couples to calculate the cost of living after benefits. It then published a list of the 50 cities where benefits run out fastest. Notably, among the 100 largest cities, there are only four places where the average Social Security check lasts couples the full month: Cleveland, Ohio (35.55 days); Toledo, Ohio (34.41 days); Detroit (34.40) and Memphis, Tenn. (31.23).
What follows are the 10 cities where those benefits will run out the fastest, followed by the 10 cities in the top 50 where benefits will last the longest.
1. Irvine, California
• How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 6.73
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $9,794
2. Fremont, California
• Days Social Security will last: 7.02
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $9,279
3. San Jose, California
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 7.50
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $8,506
4. San Francisco
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 7.91
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $7,918
5. Honolulu
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 8.32
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $7,383
6. San Diego
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 9.59
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $6,040
7. Los Angeles
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 10.38
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $5,368
8. Arlington, Virginia
• How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 10.46
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $5,307
9. Anaheim, California
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.15
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,807
10. Seattle
• Days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.26
• Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,733
Next page: 10 Cities Where Social Security Lasts Longest
