15 College Towns Where You Can Live on Nothing but Social Security

In 2025, the average monthly social security check is going to come out to $1,976 for an individual. For most people, that means working carefully to maximize your retirement savings and avoid money mistakes like moving to a city where your social security income won’t even make a dent in the median rent.

And, while many retirees plan to move to the beach for their golden years, some of the real deals can be found in college towns. These charming towns often offer walkability, rich cultural activities, outdoor recreation, sports, and, perhaps best of all, students looking to earn extra money mowing lawns and helping out seniors looking for an extra hand.

Want to plan your big move to a college town? Here are 15 college towns where you can actually afford to live on nothing but social security.

Average rent: $1,314

Median home sale price: $289,286

Jacksonville is a college town several times over, with University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Edward Waters University all calling it home.

This northern Florida beach town is perfect for those looking for the hustle and bustle of a larger metropolitan area with the access to nature that you’d find in a more rural region.

Escape to the Timucuan Preserve or the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, or enjoy a round of golf now that you have ample time.

Average rent: $1,577

Median home sale price: $377,840

Want an easy way to make sure your grandkids visit? Move to Orlando, where the pull of amusement parks will keep them coming back year-after-year.

But Disney World and Universal Studios aren’t all Orlando has to offer, there’s also the opportunity to take continuing education classes at University of Central Florida. Plus, you’ll enjoy the benefits of living in Florida — namely, no income tax.

Average rent: $1,694

Median home sale price: $218,849

There are affordable homes in the Northeast — if you know where to look. And you might be surprised to find that Philly is one of those places.

This major city is also a vibrant college town, with schools like the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Drexel University calling it home. This is also where you’ll find rich history, an incredible restaurant scene, walkability, and great museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the African American Museum.

Average rent: $1,317

Median home sale price: $223,838

One of the best things about living in a college town as a retiree is that you’ll have access to a great healthcare system.

That’s exactly what you’ll find in Pittsburgh, where the University of Pittsburgh Medical College Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital is a wonderful resource for those in need of medical care. You’ll also find Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, as well as opportunities for hiking and biking just outside the city.

Average rent: $1,178

Median home sale price: $176,427

The University of Notre Dame and Indiana University both have a home in this small Midwestern town. This is the ideal place for a retiree who’s looking for the charm of a college town, including the enthusiasm of college sports, as well as minor league baseball.

Thanks to these universities, there are great arts events as well, including concerts at the Morris Performing Arts Center.

Average rent: $1,221

Median home sale price: $292,600

Escape income taxes and cheer on the Gators in Gainesville, where you’ll find the University of Florida. This sunny Florida college town has more than 50,000 students bringing a vibrant atmosphere to its streets.

Retirees can take classes at UF for free, so you can finally brush up on the literature, science, and art that you’ve always wanted to dive into when you had more time — and now you finally do.

Average rent: $1,306

Median home sale price: $383,764

Pennsylvania State University has one of the most fervent fan bases in the country, and for retirees and alumni alike, coming back to this college town could be a dream.

Not only do you have the small town charm, you also have the ability to take free courses at Penn State if you’re 60 or older.

Average rent: $715

Median home sale price: $128,980

Huntington is home to Marshall University, and, if country roads decide to take you home here for your golden years, you’ll find a blend of town and country.

This is where you’ll find a bustling small college town paired with access to hiking and all of the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains — imagine the fall leaf peeping opportunities here!

Average rent: $1,862

Median home sale price: $329,620

“Ithaca is gorges” is the slogan you’ll see on college town t-shirts, and this play on words speaks to both the gorges that surround the town and the gorgeous landscape.

Cornell University is located here, which means you’ll have opportunities for sports and the arts via the university community, as well as all of the outdoor recreation that comes with a stunning Finger Lakes location.

Average rent: $1,145

Median home sale price: $324,833

Want to enjoy the benefits of living out your retirement in Texas, where you’ll find no state income tax and warm weather? San Marcos is home to Texas State University, where you’ll find the diversity and culture that often comes with proximity to a college town.

You’ll also be able to enjoy up to six credit hours free if you’re a senior citizen, so you can finally take that anthropology class you’ve been curious about.

Average rent: $1,150

Median home sale price: $318,280

Athens is known as one of the funkiest Southern cities, in part because of its place as a college town and also because it has always been home to a rich, vibrant music scene.

You’ll find good food here, charming walkable neighborhoods, and a rabid enthusiasm for the dawgs. Plus, you’re right near Atlanta for all your big city needs.

Average rent: $1,165

Median home sale price: $191,163

Get ready to cheer on the Orangemen in Syracuse, an upstate New York town that offers retiree-friendly affordability.

This is where you’ll find the small town charm you’re used to in a college town, along with outdoor recreation opportunities and proximity to both the Finger Lakes and the New York wine regions.

Average rent: $913

Median home sale price: $203,762

Southern charm abounds in Hattiesburg, where you can retire near the University of Southern Mississippi. This town is known as a Certified Retirement Community, which means it offers specific amenities for those cruising into their golden years.

You’ll get a bustling college town vibe here, as well as championship golf courses, lakes for all of your retirement fishing days, and excellent healthcare.

Average rent: $845

Median home sale price: $200,114

Imagine how much of your paycheck you’ll get to keep when you live in Lubbock, a Lone Star State college town where the average rent is just $845 a month, where you’ll get to enjoy the lack of state income tax.

Home to Texas Tech University, this college town has all the enthusiastic college sports you could ask for — you’ll channel youthful energy cheering on the Red Raiders.

Average rent: $883

Median home sale price: $250,212

If you can put up with the cold, head north to Stevens Point, where you’ll find the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. This college town is full of both summertime and wintertime recreation, including hiking and skiing on the Green Circle Trail.

You can set yourself up for a stress-free retirement by finding ways to earn extra income living in a college town.

For example, you can rent out your home via a short term rental site on big weekends, like Homecoming or during a championship football game. Knowing these big boosts in demand, then listing your home accordingly could end up covering your mortgage for that month — and many months beyond — highlighting another perk of spending your golden years nestled in a college town.