100 Best Cities To Retire on $3K or Less Per Month

Retirees on tight budgets may want to consider settling down in Austin, Baltimore or Brooklyn– as in Austin, Minnesota … North Baltimore, Ohio … or Brooklyn, Ohio.

Each of these three cities with larger and more famous namesakes made GOBankingRates’ latest list of the best places to retire in the U.S. on $3,000 or less per month. Less populated locations dominate this top 100, with three-quarters of the cities on the list coming in at less than 30,000 residents.

Having just $3,000 a month to get by on isn’t uncommon for retirees these days, with average Social Security benefits for couples coming in under $4,000 and large numbers of baby boomers and Gen Xers approaching retirement with little or no savings.

To compile the 100 best retirement destinations for this group, GOBankingRates looked at data from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Census, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Zillow Home Value Index, AreaVibes and the Federal Reserve. Cities with the best blends of $3,000-a-month affordability and livability topped the list, which counts down from 100 to our overall champion.

If you’re looking for places where you could get by on $3,000 a month or less, you might want to start with Pennsylvania. The Keystone state wound up with four cities in the top 10 alone. Here’s a look at where you can retire on $3,000 a month.

Also see the average amount you need saved to retire in every state.

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,094
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,777
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,871

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,147
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,719
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,866

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,115
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,738
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,853

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,123
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,717
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,839

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,099
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,730
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,829

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $964
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,840
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,804

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,097
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,702
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,799

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,068
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,725
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,793

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $757
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $2,035
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,792

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $827
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,898
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,725

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,088
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,635
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,723

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,101
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,616
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,718

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $801
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,910
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,711

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $736
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,954
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,690

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $834
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,850
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,684

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,039
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,642
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,681

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $879
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,769
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,649

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $835
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,810
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,645

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $871
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,767
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,637

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $907
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,729
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,636

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $876
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,750
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,626

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $783
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,835
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,618

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $593
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $2,019
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,612

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $612
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,943
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,555

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $841
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,694
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,535

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $624
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,880
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,503

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $742
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,733
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,475

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $600
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,833
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,432

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $565
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,768
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,333

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,096
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,808
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,903

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,047
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,836
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,883

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,055
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,777
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,831

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $937
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,855
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,791

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $925
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,864
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,790

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $868
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,919
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,788

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,066
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,700
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,766

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $859
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,866
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,725

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $807
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,891
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,698

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $827
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,871
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,698

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $845
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,813
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,658

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $814
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,798
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,613

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $860
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,743
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,604

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $741
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,853
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,594

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $844
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,727
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,572

• Livability score: 80
• Average monthly mortgage: $712
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,815
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,527

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,121
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,868
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,989

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,099
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,859
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,958

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,027
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,865
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,892

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,087
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,800
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,887

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,157
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,723
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,880

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $820
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,982
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,802

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,087
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,707
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,794

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $879
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,905
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,783

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $911
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,866
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,777

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $765
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $2,002
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,767

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $789
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,972
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,761

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $911
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,841
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,751

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $926
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,825
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,751

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $925
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,816
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,741

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $857
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,870
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,726

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $884
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,837
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,721

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $820
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,861
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,681

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $826
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,694
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,520

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $839
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,653
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,492

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $754
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,699
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,453

• Livability score: 81
• Average monthly mortgage: $370
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,672
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,042

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,099
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,877
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,975

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $924
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $2,046
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,970

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $921
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $2,047
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,968

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,091
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,874
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,965

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,231
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,710
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,942

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,119
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,791
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,910

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,030
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,868
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,899

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,234
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,648
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,882

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,191
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,662
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,853

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,072
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,745
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,816

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,123
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,584
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,706

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $681
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,950
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,631

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $710
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,902
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,612

• Livability score: 82
• Average monthly mortgage: $607
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,799
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,406

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,194
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,783
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,976

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,267
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,635
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,902

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,175
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,710
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,886

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $902
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,884
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,785

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,077
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,701
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,778

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,069
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,704
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,773

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $803
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,887
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,690

• Livability score: 83
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,019
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,587
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,605

• Livability score: 84
• Average monthly mortgage: $889
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,831
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,720

• Livability score: 84
• Average monthly mortgage: $988
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,675
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,663

• Livability score: 84
• Average monthly mortgage: $708
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,872
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,580

• Livability score: 84
• Average monthly mortgage: $451
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,882
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,334

• Livability score: 85
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,001
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,842
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,843

• Livability score: 85
• Average monthly mortgage: $864
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,766
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,630

• Livability score: 87
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,019
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,711
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,730

• Livability score: 87
• Average monthly mortgage: $744
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,950
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,693

• Livability score: 79
• Average monthly mortgage: $815
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,591
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,406

• Livability score: 88
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,049
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,919
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,968

• Livability score: 88
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,141
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,717
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,858

• Livability score: 92
• Average monthly mortgage: $851
• Average monthly cost of living (not including housing): $1,882
• Average monthly cost of living for homeowner before Social Security: $2,734

Travis Woods contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.

For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the United States to find the best places to retire for under $3,000 a month. First GOBankingRates used the U.S. Census American Community Survey to find cities and basic information including total population, total households, household median income and population ages 65+. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost of living. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The average single-family home value and the average rental cost was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Value Index for December 2024. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage, average rental costs and average expenditure costs, the average cost of living for homeowners and renters was calculated. Livability indexes were sourced from AreaVibes and included to determine the quality of life for each location. The average Social Security benefits were sourced from the Social Security Administration and used to calculated the cost of living for homeowners and renters after Social Security. The cities were sorted to show the highest livability locations first. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Jan. 30, 2025.