How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes in 10 Largest Southwest Cities

If your retirement is on the horizon and you plan to spend it in a major Southwestern city, like Phoenix, Las Vegas or Colorado Springs, do you know how far your Social Security benefits will stretch to cover the cost of living?

Earlier this year, GOBankingRates was able to determine how far a typical Social Security check goes in 50 of the largest U.S. cities. We analyzed data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Zillow Home Value Index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and Federal Reserve Economic Data as it pertained to single individuals and married couples. 

Keep reading to see how far the typical Social Security check goes in the 10 largest Southwest cities.

• Population: 1,609,456
• Annual cost of living: $51,142
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.8%
• Average Social Security benefit: $22,126
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $28,689
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $17,764

• Population: 710,800
• Annual cost of living: $62,269
• % of households receiving Social Security: 18.8%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,817
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $39,816
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $28,891

• Population: 644,835
• Annual cost of living: $53,375
• % of households receiving Social Security: 29.5%
• Average Social Security benefit: $21,533
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $30,922
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $19,997

• Population: 562,551
• Annual cost of living: $42,258
• % of households receiving Social Security: 30.3%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,338
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $19,805
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $8,880

• Population: 541,033
• Annual cost of living: $43,476
• % of households receiving Social Security: 29.7%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,736
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $21,023
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $10,098

• Population: 503,390
• Annual cost of living: $52,213
• % of households receiving Social Security: 30.6%
• Average Social Security benefit: $24,338
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $29,760
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $18,835

• Population: 479,612
• Annual cost of living: $51,171
• % of households receiving Social Security: 25.4%
• Average Social Security benefit: $22,242
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $28,718
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $17,793

• Population: 387,349
• Annual cost of living: $56,034
• % of households receiving Social Security: 22.8%
• Average Social Security benefit: $21,401
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $33,581
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $22,656

• Population: 318,063
• Annual cost of living: $56,779
• % of households receiving Social Security: 34.1%
• Average Social Security benefit: $24,422
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $34,326
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $23,401

• Population: 275,618
• Annual cost of living: $58,049
• % of households receiving Social Security: 21.7%
• Average Social Security benefit: $24,504
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $35,596
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $24,671

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the 100 most populated cities according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city a number of factors were found including; the total population, total households, population ages 65 and over, household median income, number of household receiving Social Security Benefits, number of household retirement income, the average retirement income for households who receive retirement income, the average Social Security benefits for households who receive Social Security benefits all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the cost-of-living indexes as sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces, the livability index as sourced from AreaVibes, the average single-family home value as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Using the cost-of-living indexes and using the national average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs can be calculated. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated. Using the mortgage and expenditure costs the total cost of living can be calculated. Using the average Social Security income as sourced from the Social Security Administration’s August 2024 monthly snapshot, the average income for one person and a married couple can be sourced. Using the average Social Security income and the total cost of living, the total cost of living after Social Security benefits can be calculated. The cities were sorted by their total population, showing how far the average Social Security Income goes in the largest major cities. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 20, 2024.