How Far Your Social Security Check Goes in Every State Under Trump

March 27, 2025

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The average monthly Social Security check for a single retiree is around $1,929 (as of January). Annually, this comes out to about $23,150 — a sum too small to solely rely on in retirement. When factoring in state of residence and total living costs, many single retirees are likely to face negative balances amounting to thousands of dollars.

GOBankingRates was able to determine how far Social Security checks go in every state under President Donald Trump by reviewing the average Social Security payment and its annual amount (both seen above). Key factors analyzed in each state include the annual cost of rent, groceries, utilities, transportation and healthcare as they pertain to single retirees along with the annual cost of necessities.

See how far your Social Security check goes in every state.

Also see how long $1 million will go in retirement.

Alabama

Annual rent: $12,336
Annual grocery cost: $4,834
Annual utilities cost: $4,307
Annual transportation cost: $4,349
Annual healthcare cost: $6,983
Annual necessities cost: $32,810
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 70.6%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,659

Alaska

Annual rent: $15,288
Annual grocery cost: $6,321
Annual utilities cost: $6,581
Annual transportation cost: $5,475
Annual healthcare cost: $12,041
Annual necessities cost: $45,705
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 50.7%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $22,555

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Arizona

Annual rent: $16,032
Annual grocery cost: $5,028
Annual utilities cost: $4,535
Annual transportation cost: $5,001
Annual healthcare cost: $7,441
Annual necessities cost: $38,037
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 60.9%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,886

Arkansas

Annual rent: $11,088
Annual grocery cost: $4,734
Annual utilities cost: $3,906
Annual transportation cost: $4,311
Annual healthcare cost: $6,879
Annual necessities cost: $30,919
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 74.9%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $7,768

California

Annual rent: $25,860
Annual grocery cost: $5,555
Annual utilities cost: $6,021
Annual transportation cost: $6,548
Annual healthcare cost: $8,645
Annual necessities cost: $52,629
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 44%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $29,479

Colorado

Annual rent: $18,888
Annual grocery cost: $5,008
Annual utilities cost: $3,846
Annual transportation cost: $4,541
Annual healthcare cost: $8,372
Annual necessities cost: $40,655
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 56.9%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $17,505

Connecticut

Annual rent: $21,648
Annual grocery cost: $5,102
Annual utilities cost: $5,853
Annual transportation cost: $5,020
Annual healthcare cost: $8,822
Annual necessities cost: $46,445
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 49.8%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $23,295

Delaware

Annual rent: $17,640
Annual grocery cost: $5,097
Annual utilities cost: $4,229
Annual transportation cost: $4,895
Annual healthcare cost: $8,220
Annual necessities cost: $40,082
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 57.8%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $16,931

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Florida

Annual rent: $20,100
Annual grocery cost: $5,232
Annual utilities cost: $4,389
Annual transportation cost: $4,733
Annual healthcare cost: $7,947
Annual necessities cost: $42,400
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 54.6%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $19,249

Georgia

Annual rent: $16,896
Annual grocery cost: $4,839
Annual utilities cost: $4,195
Annual transportation cost: $4,598
Annual healthcare cost: $8,059
Annual necessities cost: $38,587
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 60%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $15,437

Hawaii

Annual rent: $21,432
Annual grocery cost: $6,485
Annual utilities cost: $8,528
Annual transportation cost: $6,385
Annual healthcare cost: $9,721
Annual necessities cost: $52,550
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 44.1%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $29,400

Idaho

Annual rent: $15,984
Annual grocery cost: $5,152
Annual utilities cost: $3,355
Annual transportation cost: $5,250
Annual healthcare cost: $7,907
Annual necessities cost: $37,648
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 61.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,497

Illinois

Annual rent: $19,104
Annual grocery cost: $4,879
Annual utilities cost: $4,285
Annual transportation cost: $4,953
Annual healthcare cost: $7,955
Annual necessities cost: $41,176
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 56.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $18,025

Indiana

Annual rent: $13,020
Annual grocery cost: $4,839
Annual utilities cost: $3,898
Annual transportation cost: $4,728
Annual healthcare cost: $7,810
Annual necessities cost: $34,295
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 67.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $11,144

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Iowa

Annual rent: $11,316
Annual grocery cost: $4,804
Annual utilities cost: $4,001
Annual transportation cost: $4,675
Annual healthcare cost: $7,690
Annual necessities cost: $32,486
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 71.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,336

Kansas

Annual rent: $12,444
Annual grocery cost: $4,714
Annual utilities cost: $4,251
Annual transportation cost: $4,316
Annual healthcare cost: $7,586
Annual necessities cost: $33,311
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 69.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $10,160

Kentucky

Annual rent: $12,420
Annual grocery cost: $4,963
Annual utilities cost: $3,614
Annual transportation cost: $4,637
Annual healthcare cost: $8,557
Annual necessities cost: $34,190
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 67.7%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $11,040

Louisiana

Annual rent: $12,480
Annual grocery cost: $4,779
Annual utilities cost: $3,381
Annual transportation cost: $4,570
Annual healthcare cost: $7,754
Annual necessities cost: $32,964
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 70.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,813

Maine

Annual rent: $19,548
Annual grocery cost: $5,048
Annual utilities cost: $4,781
Annual transportation cost: $5,149
Annual healthcare cost: $9,127
Annual necessities cost: $43,652
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 53%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $20,502

Maryland

Annual rent: $19,800
Annual grocery cost: $5,326
Annual utilities cost: $4,751
Annual transportation cost: $4,871
Annual healthcare cost: $8,099
Annual necessities cost: $42,847
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 54%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $19,697

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Massachusetts

Annual rent: $29,616
Annual grocery cost: $5,192
Annual utilities cost: $6,461
Annual transportation cost: $5,245
Annual healthcare cost: $10,090
Annual necessities cost: $56,603
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 40.9%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $33,453

Michigan

Annual rent: $13,296
Annual grocery cost: $4,883
Annual utilities cost: $4,221
Annual transportation cost: $4,771
Annual healthcare cost: $7,168
Annual necessities cost: $34,339
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 67.4%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $11,189

Minnesota

Annual rent: $15,588
Annual grocery cost: $5,077
Annual utilities cost: $4,195
Annual transportation cost: $4,555
Annual healthcare cost: $8,428
Annual necessities cost: $37,844
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 61.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,694

Mississippi

Annual rent: $11,580
Annual grocery cost: $4,789
Annual utilities cost: $3,829
Annual transportation cost: $4,301
Annual healthcare cost: $7,971
Annual necessities cost: $32,470
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 71.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,320

Missouri

Annual rent: $13,116
Annual grocery cost: $4,774
Annual utilities cost: $4,255
Annual transportation cost: $4,177
Annual healthcare cost: $7,369
Annual necessities cost: $33,691
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 68.7%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $10,541

Montana

Annual rent: $16,308
Annual grocery cost: $5,038
Annual utilities cost: $3,588
Annual transportation cost: $5,255
Annual healthcare cost: $8,533
Annual necessities cost: $38,721
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 59.8%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $15,570

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Nebraska

Annual rent: $12,648
Annual grocery cost: $4,933
Annual utilities cost: $3,807
Annual transportation cost: $4,632
Annual healthcare cost: $8,027
Annual necessities cost: $34,048
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 68%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $10,897

Nevada

Annual rent: $15,984
Annual grocery cost: $5,132
Annual utilities cost: $4,475
Annual transportation cost: $5,700
Annual healthcare cost: $6,992
Annual necessities cost: $38,283
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 60.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $15,132

New Hampshire

Annual rent: $21,180
Annual grocery cost: $4,968
Annual utilities cost: $4,841
Annual transportation cost: $5,058
Annual healthcare cost: $8,356
Annual necessities cost: $44,403
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 52.1%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $21,253

New Jersey

Annual rent: $24,276
Annual grocery cost: $5,182
Annual utilities cost: $4,333
Annual transportation cost: $5,058
Annual healthcare cost: $8,629
Annual necessities cost: $47,478
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 48.8%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $24,328

New Mexico

Annual rent: $14,064
Annual grocery cost: $4,794
Annual utilities cost: $3,631
Annual transportation cost: $4,316
Annual healthcare cost: $8,244
Annual necessities cost: $35,048
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 66.1%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $11,898

New York

Annual rent: $31,548
Annual grocery cost: $5,167
Annual utilities cost: $4,294
Annual transportation cost: $5,116
Annual healthcare cost: $8,741
Annual necessities cost: $54,866
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 42.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $31,716

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North Carolina

Annual rent: $15,984
Annual grocery cost: $4,893
Annual utilities cost: $4,182
Annual transportation cost: $4,483
Annual healthcare cost: $8,404
Annual necessities cost: $37,947
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 61%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,797

North Dakota

Annual rent: $11,148
Annual grocery cost: $4,724
Annual utilities cost: $3,489
Annual transportation cost: $4,780
Annual healthcare cost: $8,685
Annual necessities cost: $32,827
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 70.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,676

Ohio

Annual rent: $12,540
Annual grocery cost: $4,918
Annual utilities cost: $4,277
Annual transportation cost: $4,594
Annual healthcare cost: $7,586
Annual necessities cost: $33,914
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 68.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $10,764

Oklahoma

Annual rent: $10,680
Annual grocery cost: $4,744
Annual utilities cost: $4,109
Annual transportation cost: $4,345
Annual healthcare cost: $7,754
Annual necessities cost: $31,632
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 73.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $8,481

Oregon

Annual rent: $17,388
Annual grocery cost: $5,281
Annual utilities cost: $3,863
Annual transportation cost: $5,681
Annual healthcare cost: $8,806
Annual necessities cost: $41,019
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 56.4%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $17,869

Pennsylvania

Annual rent: $17,760
Annual grocery cost: $4,933
Annual utilities cost: $4,565
Annual transportation cost: $4,996
Annual healthcare cost: $7,272
Annual necessities cost: $39,527
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 58.6%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $16,377

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Rhode Island

Annual rent: $21,012
Annual grocery cost: $5,067
Annual utilities cost: $6,030
Annual transportation cost: $4,613
Annual healthcare cost: $8,396
Annual necessities cost: $45,118
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 51.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $21,968

South Carolina

Annual rent: $16,392
Annual grocery cost: $4,938
Annual utilities cost: $4,406
Annual transportation cost: $4,536
Annual healthcare cost: $7,465
Annual necessities cost: $37,737
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 61.4%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,587

South Dakota

Annual rent: $11,712
Annual grocery cost: $4,849
Annual utilities cost: $3,596
Annual transportation cost: $4,709
Annual healthcare cost: $8,107
Annual necessities cost: $32,973
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 70.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,822

Tennessee

Annual rent: $16,008
Annual grocery cost: $4,829
Annual utilities cost: $3,756
Annual transportation cost: $4,268
Annual healthcare cost: $7,112
Annual necessities cost: $35,972
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 64.4%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $12,822

Texas

Annual rent: $14,928
Annual grocery cost: $4,779
Annual utilities cost: $4,535
Annual transportation cost: $4,445
Annual healthcare cost: $7,586
Annual necessities cost: $36,273
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 63.8%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $13,123

Utah

Annual rent: $16,476
Annual grocery cost: $4,859
Annual utilities cost: $4,143
Annual transportation cost: $5,178
Annual healthcare cost: $7,096
Annual necessities cost: $37,752
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 61.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $14,601

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Vermont

Annual rent: $21,564
Annual grocery cost: $5,281
Annual utilities cost: $4,850
Annual transportation cost: $4,589
Annual healthcare cost: $8,942
Annual necessities cost: $45,226
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 51.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $22,076

Virginia

Annual rent: $21,048
Annual grocery cost: $4,953
Annual utilities cost: $4,298
Annual transportation cost: $4,546
Annual healthcare cost: $8,428
Annual necessities cost: $43,274
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 53.5%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $20,123

Washington

Annual rent: $21,468
Annual grocery cost: $5,251
Annual utilities cost: $3,988
Annual transportation cost: $5,925
Annual healthcare cost: $9,480
Annual necessities cost: $46,113
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 50.2%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $22,962

West Virginia

Annual rent: $11,076
Annual grocery cost: $4,923
Annual utilities cost: $4,161
Annual transportation cost: $4,460
Annual healthcare cost: $7,842
Annual necessities cost: $32,462
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 71.3%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $9,311

Wisconsin

Annual rent: $14,412
Annual grocery cost: $4,874
Annual utilities cost: $3,988
Annual transportation cost: $4,709
Annual healthcare cost: $8,541
Annual necessities cost: $36,523
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 63.4%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $13,373

Wyoming

Annual rent: $13,404
Annual grocery cost: $4,988
Annual utilities cost: $3,838
Annual transportation cost: $4,426
Annual healthcare cost: $8,372
Annual necessities cost: $35,028
% of necessities a single person on Social Security could cover: 66.1%
Amount a single person still needs for necessities after Social Security: $11,877

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates first found the average Social Security payment for a retiree ($1,929) as sourced from the Social Security Administration’s January 2025 snapshot. This figure was then factored out for an annual amount ($23,150). With these figures in mind, GOBankingRates was able to find for each state (1) annual rent from Apartments.com; (2) annual cost of groceries; (3) annual cost of utilities; (4) annual cost of transportation; and (5) annual cost of healthcare. Figures (1) – (5) were sourced from the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey for those 65+ and then factored by each state’s cost-of-living indices, as sourced from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Figures (1) – (5) were combined along with annual rent to give each state (6) annual necessities cost, which was then compared to the Social Security income to find each state’s (7) percent of annual necessities Social Security could cover and (8) Social Security income left after necessities. All data was collected on and is up to date as of March 3, 2025.

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