How Far the Average Social Security Check Goes in the 13 Largest Cities in Texas

The Social Security Administration has reported that the average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,871 for a single person and $2,782 for a married couple — that’s $22,453 per year for a single person and $33,378 for a couple. 

An essential calculus for any retired person, or any individual surviving on Social Security for any other reason, is how to ensure the Social Security check can, in conjunction with retirement savings, cover all bills and rent with still a bit left over. Thus, a crucial question is how far the average Social Security check can last you — no matter where you live.

Recently, GOBankingRates compiled 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, Federal Reserve Economic Data and AreaVibes to discern just how far the average Social Security check would go in America’s 50 largest cities. Now, to break that down even further, GOBankingRates is exploring just how far the average Social Security check will last in the 13 largest cities in Texas.

The Lone Star state can be rather affordable in terms of cost of living; however, its cities can be rather pricey. Curious how far your Social Security checks could last there? Keep reading.

• Population: 2,296,253
• Annual cost of living: $43,905
• % of households receiving Social Security: 20.7%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $18,402
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $7,477

• Population: 1,445,662
• Annual cost of living: $38,514
• % of households receiving Social Security: 25.9%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $16,061
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $5,136

• Population: 1,300,642
• Annual cost of living: $44,742
• % of households receiving Social Security: 20.0%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $22,309
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $11,384

• Population: 982,202
• Annual cost of living: $59,365
• % of households receiving Social Security: 15.4%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $36,912
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $25,987

• Population: 924,663
• Annual cost of living: $43,137
• % of households receiving Social Security: 21.0%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $20,684
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $9,759

• Population: 677,181
• Annual cost of living: $35,947
• % of households receiving Social Security: 28.0%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $13,494
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $2,569

• Population: 393,469
• Annual cost of living: $44,148
• % of households receiving Social Security: 21.4%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $21,695
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $10,770

• Population: 317,804
• Annual cost of living: $36,078
• % of households receiving Social Security: 28.6%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $13,625
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $2,700

• Population: 284,948
• Annual cost of living: $56,589
• % of households receiving Social Security: 20.6%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $34,136
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $23,211

• Population: 258,190
• Annual cost of living: $35,412
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.7%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $12,959
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $2,034

• Population: 255,293
• Annual cost of living: $35,164
• % of households receiving Social Security: 23.5%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $12,711
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $1,786

• Population: 254,962
• Annual cost of living: $46,372
• % of households receiving Social Security: 13.8%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $23,919
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $12,994

• Population: 244,026
• Annual cost of living:$43,402
• % of households receiving Social Security: 24.7%
• Cost of living for single person after Social Security: $20,949
• Cost of living for married couple after Social Security: $10,024

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

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.