10 Best Places in Florida for a Couple To Live Only on Social Security
Famously warm weather. No state income tax. A relatively affordable cost of living, even by the beach. Huge swaths of retirement communities.
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It’s no wonder that Florida is such a magnet for retirees. In 2022, 11.8% of all U.S. retirees who switched states chose Florida, more than anywhere else. That’s based on a review of U.S. Census data compiled by the Hire A Helper moving service.
With ritzy destinations like Miami and Palm Beach, you can spend as much as you want to wind down in the Sunshine State. Florida retirement dreams don’t necessarily have to go poof for folks on tight budgets, though — even couples living on Social Security alone.
GOBankingRates has compiled a list of Florida’s top 10 places for couples living only on Social Security checks. Our study blends data from the U.S. Census, Sperling’s Best Places, the Zillow Observed Rental Index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and AreaVibes.
Even Florida’s best combos of livability and affordability will stretch Social Security-only budgets. According to the Social Security Administration, the average benefit for couples these days is about $3,580 a month — close to the average monthly cost of living for each of the cities in our top 10.
If you’re looking to retire to Florida with limited resources, read on for our countdown of your best options.
10. Melbourne
Average rent: $1,907
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,622
Livability score: 81
“The Harbor City” is located on Florida’s east coast, roughly halfway between Jacksonville and Miami, and about 70 miles southeast of Orlando. Melbourne’s average monthly rent and total cost of living are the highest in our top 10, but its livability score also ranks near the top of the list. Attractions include Andretti’s Thrill Park and the Brevard Zoo. About 83,500 people live here.
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9. Gainesville
Average rent: $1,595
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,375
Livability score: 80
Best known as home to the University of Florida, Gainesville is located in the state’s north-central region. Its roughly 140,000 residents have access to eight nearby state parks and more than a hundred miles of hiking and biking trails. Gainesville’s monthly cost of living places it within range for many cost-conscious retirees. A month’s worth of groceries will cost a couple just under $400.
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8. Lakeland
Average rent: $1,720
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,459
Livability score: 76
You’ll find Lakeland on Interstate 4 in central Florida, in between Orlando and Tampa. Lakeland is home to a charming downtown, dozens of lakes, about 110,000 residents and a large population of swans. There are plenty of retirees here, with nearly 22% of the population age 65 and up.
7. Ocala
Average rent: $1,599
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,311
Livability score: 67
A city of about 62,000 in north central Florida, Ocala is a hub for equestrian enthusiasts. The city is home to numerous Thoroughbred farms and the World Equestrian Center — the largest equestrian complex in the U.S. Residents also have easy access to two state parks and Ocala National Forest.
6. Jacksonville
Average rent: $1,656
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,462
Livability score: 80
Sprawling Jacksonville, home to nearly a million people, brands itself as the “Flip Slide of Florida.” It’s located on the state’s northeast coast and boasts 22 miles of beaches, a well-regarded art scene and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville is also relatively affordable for a city its size, with a total cost of living within reach of many retirees.
5. Leesburg
Average rent: $1,437
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,189
Livability score: 60
Leesburg’s livability score of 60 won’t knock your sunglasses off, but it may be worth a look if you’re seeking an inexpensive Florida destination. Located in central Florida, Leesburg offers the lowest total cost of living in our list. It’s also popular with retirees — more than a quarter of Leesburg’s 26,000 residents are 65 or older.
Pictured: The Villages, Florida
4. Pensacola
Average rent: $1,578
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,322
Livability score: 79
Florida’s westernmost city, Pensacola is located in the state’s panhandle, about an hour east of Mobile, Alabama, by car. Retirees enjoy the least expensive groceries in our list, about $386 a month for two. Pensacola boasts more than 50 miles of nearby coastline and is home to Naval Air Station and the Blue Angels.
3. Daytona Beach
Average rent: $1,584
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,325
Livability score: 79
Daytona Beach boasts the iconic Daytona International Speedway and Daytona 500, the headquarters of NASCAR, more than 20 miles of beaches and numerous other attractions. Located about an hour northeast of Orlando, Daytona Beach has about 73,000 residents — about 20% of whom are age 65+. Groceries will run a retired couple about $390 a month here.
2. Tallahassee
Average rent: $1,436
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,216
Livability score: 82
Florida’s capital offers cost-conscious retirees the lowest average monthly rent in our list — just a hair less expensive than Leesburg. Florida State and Florida A&M universities are located here, along with numerous museums and outdoor recreation opportunities. You’ll find Tallahassee and its roughly 200,000 residents in the center of the state’s panhandle.
1. Titusville
Average rent: $1,610
Average total monthly cost of living: $3,332
Livability score: 83
Plenty of retirees have discovered Titusville, with nearly 23% of the city’s 50,000 residents aged 65 or older. Titusville is located about an hour north of Melbourne near Florida’s east coast. Located near the Kennedy Space Center, Titusville promotes itself as “The Gateway to Nature and Space.” Its livability score of 83 is the highest among our top 10 cities.
Jordan Rosenfeld and John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: To find the best places in Florida for a couple to live on only a Social Security check, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Florida across a variety of factors including total population and population aged 65 and over (both sourced from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey; Sperling’s Best Places cost-of-living indexes for groceries, healthcare, utilities and transportation; average monthly rents sourced from the Zillow Observed Rental Index; the national average expenditure cost as sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey; livability scores sourced from AreaVibes; and average monthly Social Security benefits as sourced from the Social Security Administration. The cost-of-living indexes for each city were multiplied by the national average expenditure cost to find the average expenditure costs for each city. The expenditure costs for each city were added to the average rental cost to find the total monthly cost needed to live in each city. The average Social Security benefits were doubled to find the average benefit for a couple, and all cities above the average monthly Social Security benefits were removed. The total population was scored and weighted at 0.75 percent, population 65 and over was scored and weighted at 0.75, the livability index was scored and weighted at 1.50, the rental cost was scored and weighted at 1, the expenditure cost was scored and weighted at 1, and the total monthly cost was scored and weighted at 1.25. All the scores were added together and sorted to show the best places in Florida for a couple to live on only a Social Security check. All data was collected and is up to date as of Nov. 9, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best Places in Florida for a Couple To Live Only on Social Security
