How Far a Social Security Check Goes in L.A. and 14 Other Large Cities in California

In part because 2024 was a contentious election year, Social Security was top of mind for many Americans, many of whom are likely concerned as to how long their Social Security funds will last them.

Per the Social Security Administration, the average monthly Social Security benefit is $22,453 per year for a single person and $33,378 for married couples. Yet, while those numbers are relatively set, how long that money lasts differs from state to state.

Recently, GOBankingRates compiled data from such sources as U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Zillow Home Value Index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Federal Reserve Economic Data and AreaVibes in order to calculate how far the average Social Security check would last recipients in the 50 largest cities in the United States.

The Golden State is known for an extraordinarily high cost of living, as well as steep real estate costs, all of which can very quickly consume retirement and Social Security incomes. For those considering retirement in California, this list breaks down the population, annual cost of living and Social Security information for the 15 largest cities in California, and how fast each city will burn through retirement funds.

• Population: 3,881,041
• Annual cost of living: $91,834
• % of households receiving Social Security: 22.8%
• Average Social Security benefit: $19,813
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $69,381
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $58,456

• Population: 1,383,987
• Annual cost of living: $98,980
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.1%
• Average Social Security benefit: $22,514
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $76,527
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $65,602

• Population: 1,001,176
• Annual cost of living: $126,475
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.5%
• Average Social Security benefit: $23,108
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $104,022
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $93,097

• Population: 851,036
• Annual cost of living: 120,055
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.8%
• Average Social Security benefit: $21,270
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $97,602
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $86,677

• Population: $541,528
• Annual cost of living: $48,504
• % of households receiving Social Security: 24.5%
• Average Social Security benefit: $18,566
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $26,051
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $15,126

• Population: 523,600
• Annual cost of living: $56,385
• % of households receiving Social Security: 25.5%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,050
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $33,932
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $23,007

• Population: 462,293
• Annual cost of living: $84,194
• % of households receiving Social Security: 22.3%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,387
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $61,741
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $50,816

• Population: 437,825
• Annual cost of living: $80,769
• % of households receiving Social Security: 22.3%
• Average Social Security benefit: $21,140
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $58,316
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $47,391

• Population: $404,321
• Annual cost of living: $48,504
• % of households receiving Social Security: 24.4%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,282
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $26,051
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $15,126

• Population: 347,111
• Annual cost of living: $85,330
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.9%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,873
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $62,877
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $51,952

• Population: 320,030
• Annual cost of living: $53,510
• % of households receiving Social Security: 26.5%
• Average Social Security benefit: $19,991
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $31,057
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $20,132

• Population: 316,076
• Annual cost of living: $66,972
• % of households receiving Social Security: 25.6%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,666
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $44,519
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $33,594

• Population: 311,379
• Annual cost of living: $79,975
• % of households receiving Social Security: 24.3%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,086
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $57,522
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $46,597

• Population: 304,527
• Annual cost of living: $140,392
• % of households receiving Social Security: 16.4%
• Average Social Security benefit: $24,308
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $117,939
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $107,014

• Population: 276,103
• Annual cost of living: $83,220
• % of households receiving Social Security: 26.1%
• Average Social Security benefit: $20,078
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $60,767
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $29,842

• Population: 228,795
• Annual cost of living: $134,863
• % of households receiving Social Security: 21.7%
• Average Social Security benefit: $23,502
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $112,410
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $101,484

• Population: 225,850
• Annual cost of living: $79,545
• % of households receiving Social Security: 24.7%
• Average Social Security benefit: $22,552
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $57,092
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $46,167

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the 50 most populous cities according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city, a number of other factors were sourced from the survey, including total population. Cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces. A livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. The average single-family home value was sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index. Using cost-of-living indexes and the national average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs were 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 was calculated. Using mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living was calculated. Using the average Social Security benefit as sourced from the Social Security Administration’s August 2024 monthly snapshot, the average income for one person and a married couple were determined. Using the average Social Security income and the total cost of living, the total cost of living after Social Security benefits was calculated. The cities were sorted by their total population. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 20, 2024.