How Long You Could Last on Nothing but Social Security in 50 Major Cities

August 30, 2025

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It’s time to reconsider retiring on Social Security alone, especially if you’re one-half of a married couple. New data from GOBankingRates shows that across 50 major U.S. cities this income will not be able to last for an entire month. These benefits could stretch up to 19 days, at most, but in six major cities Social Security runs out in less than 10 days.

GOBankingRates analyzed the top 100 U.S. cities by population and sourced the average Social Security benefits for married couples to calculate the cost of living after benefits.

Key Findings

Social Security runs out in less than 10 days in six cities: Irvine, California (6.73 days); Fremont, California (7.02); San Jose, California (7.50); San Francisco (7.91); Honolulu (8.32) and San Diego (9.59).
California cities dominated the list (15). Seven California cities — including Irvine, Fremont, San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Anaheim — are in the top 10.
While Social Security benefits run out in under seven days in Irvine, the California city where benefits last the longest is Stockton — at up to 17.98 days.
Finishing last place isn’t a bad thing for Social Security longevity. Saint Petersburg, Florida, took 50th place with 19.38 days until benefits run out for married couples.

Keep reading to see which cities Social Security benefits run out the fastest for couples and the cities where these benefits last.

1. Irvine, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 6.73
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $9,794
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $322

2. Fremont, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 7.02
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $9,279
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $305

Today’s Top Offers

3. San Jose, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 7.50
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $8,506
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $280

4. San Francisco

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 7.91
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $7,918
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $260

5. Honolulu

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 8.32
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $7,383
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $243

6. San Diego

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 9.59
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $6,040
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $199

7. Los Angeles

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 10.38
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $5,368
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $176

8. Arlington, Virginia

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 10.46
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $5,307
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $174

9. Anaheim, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.15
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,807
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $158

10. Seattle

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.26
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,733
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $156

Today’s Top Offers

11. Long Beach, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.34
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,681
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $154

12. Scottsdale, Arizona

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.37
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,662
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $153

13. Chula Vista, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.45
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,609
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $152

14. New York City

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.48
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,589
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $151

15. Oakland, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.81
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,385
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $144

16. Santa Ana, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.90
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,326
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $142

Today’s Top Offers

17. Santa Clarita, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 11.99
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,278
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $141

18. Boston

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 12.23
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $4,135
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $136

19. Washington, D.C.

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 13.21
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,626
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $119

20. Miami

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 14.05
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,242
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $107

21. Jersey City, New Jersey

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 14.18
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,187
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $105

22. Riverside, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 14.32
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $3,128
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $103

Today’s Top Offers

23. Denver

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 15.37
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,724
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $90

24. Gilbert, Arizona

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 15.61
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,639
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $87

25. Austin, Texas

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.14
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,461
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $81

26. Reno, Nevada

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.17
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,451
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $81

27. Portland, Oregon

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.18
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,447
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $80

28. Chandler, Arizona

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.52
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,341
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $77

29. Newark, New Jersey

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.69
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,288
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $75

Today’s Top Offers

30. Plano, Texas

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.91
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,221
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $73

31. Henderson, Nevada

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 16.92
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,219
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $73

32. Sacramento, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 17.04
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,182
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $72

33. Aurora, Colorado

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 17.13
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $2,156
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $71

34. Stockton, California

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 17.98
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,924
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $63

35. Boise, Idaho

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.01
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,917
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $63

36. Las Vegas

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.05
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,907
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $63

37. Anchorage, Alaska

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.18
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,872
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $62

Today’s Top Offers

38. Atlanta

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.22
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,861
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $61

39. Mesa, Arizona

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.42
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,812
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $60

40. Nashville, Tennessee

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.51
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,789
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $59

41. Raleigh, North Carolina

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.69
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,745
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $57

42. Colorado Springs, Colorado

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.74
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,734
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $57

43. Phoenix

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.83
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,713
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $56

44. North Las Vegas, Nevada

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 18.93
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,688
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $55

Today’s Top Offers

45. Virginia Beach, Virginia

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.00
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,672
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $55

46. Glendale, Arizona

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.00
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,672
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $55

47. Orlando, Florida

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.07
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,655
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $54

48. Chesapeake, Virginia

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.17
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,631
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $54

49. Madison, Wisconsin

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.20
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,625
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $53

50. Saint Petersburg, Florida

How many days Social Security will last a married couple each month: 19.38
Total monthly cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $1,584
Total daily cost of living for a couple (after Social Security benefits): $52

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the top 100 cities by population, according to the U.S. Census, to find how long you could last on nothing but Social Security benefits. GOBankingRates found data for each city, including total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces. 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 was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for September 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 and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living was calculated. The average Social Security benefits for a married couple were sourced from the Social Security Administration from August 2024. Using the average Social Security benefits, the total cost of living after the benefits were calculated and the days each month until Social Security benefits stop covering the total cost of living also were calculated. This represents how long Social Security benefits can cover the typical cost of living for retired residents in each city. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Nov. 1, 2024.

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