In the United States people with a Social Security retirement have a very big problem. Financial crises, inflation and the COLA increase do not help retired people to have a good retirement with enough money to pay for rent, food and all expenses on a monthly basis.
Each person has a different pension and it all depends on the years of contribution, the year in which we ask for retirement and the salary we had when we were working. All these factors are very important to have a good Social Security pension every month. If you have a partner pension with your spouse you will be happy to know that it is possible to live in California without having other income.
The State of California has some places where you can live in a peaceful way without the need to have a lot of money in the bank, although most places do require a very high income. The experts at GoBankingRates have compiled a list of the four best places in California to live on the monthly Social Security income of about $3,239 each month, twice as much as an individual benefit.
Cheapest places to live in California on Social Security
Let’s find out the best 4 places to live in the State of California por a couple that has only the benefit from Social Security.
Riverside
Riverside is a perfect city for Social Security pensioners because it is quite close to downtown Los Angeles, only 60 miles away. In addition to this, there are also many hiking trails in this city, which include volcanoes that we can visit, and a state university. The only negative part of this city is that the livability is low due to its crime rate and unemployment rate, but it is a good option to live in California for a low price. Here is the information about the city.
- Percentage of Population 65 and Older: 14.8%.
- Grocery Cost of Living Index: 100.4
- Healthcare Cost of Living Index: 87.8
- Livability Score: 59
- Average Rent: $1,569.20
- Monthly Grocery Cost Per Couple: $826.96
- Monthly Healthcare Cost Per Couple: $757.57
- Total Monthly Expenditures: $3,153.73
Pomona
It is also a city that is close to Los Angeles, just 30 miles away. This city is also good for retirees on Social Security because it is very inexpensive. It is very cheap to live in every month, although that good part also has a bad part, and that is that it can have a very high crime rate.
- Percentage of Population 65 and Older: 11.5%.
- Grocery Cost of Living Index: 100.5
- Healthcare Cost of Living Score: 89.4
- Livability Score: 53
- Average Rent: $1,511.40
- Monthly Grocery Cost Per Couple: $827.79
- Monthly Healthcare Cost Per Couple: $771.37
- Total Monthly Expenditures: $3,110.56
Sacramento
The city of Sacramento is the capital of California. This option for couples living alone on Social Security also has “The City of Trees” as its name. Here you can find a very green landscape with lots of greenery. The city has a very trendy and modern art scene, as well as many growing places for self-catering. Like the other cities above, the only negative point is its high crime rate.
- Percentage of Population 65 and Older: 13.3%.
- Grocery Cost of Living Index: 104.8
- Healthcare Cost of Living Score: 96.7
- Livability Score: 62
- Average Rent: $1,281.00
- Monthly Grocery Cost Per Couple: $863.20
- Monthly Healthcare Cost Per Couple: $834.36
- Total Monthly Expenditures: $2,978.56
Fresno
In the center of the State of California we can find Fresno. It is located in the San Joaquin Valley. Financially, Fresno is good for a couple with only Social Security as a monthly payment. One of the things that stands out the most about this city is its diverse population from all over the world, which makes for many different restaurants. Although it does not have a high crime rate, its livability score drops a bit because of the air quality.
- Percentage of Population 65 and Older: 11.6%.
- Grocery Cost of Living Index: 99.2
- Healthcare Cost of Living Score: 90.6
- Livability Score: 57
- Average Rent: $1,050.00
- Monthly Grocery Cost Per Couple: $817.08
- Monthly Healthcare Cost Per Couple: $781.73
- Total Monthly Expenditures: $2,648.80