13 Adorable Mountain Towns Where Couples Can Live on Nothing but Social Security

Settling in a small mountain town sounds like a stress-free retirement for many couples. But can you really afford an adorable mountain town on just your Social Security benefits?

On average, retirees get about $2,000 per month from Social Security. As a couple, your household probably receives a little over $4,000 each month ($48,000 per year). That puts the following 13 adorable mountain towns within your budget.

Editor's note: All apartment rental data and home pricing data come from Zillow and Redfin.

Average monthly rent: $1,081

Median home price: $286,247

Anaconda, Montana, sits at the foot of the Anaconda Range, where it's a short drive to visit popular destinations like Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

Anaconda has a $49,643 estimated median household income, so you should find that you can live there comfortably as long as you budget well.

Average monthly rent: $1,500

Median home price: $320,564

Would you like to live in Asheville, North Carolina, but can't imagine spending nearly $500,000 on a house? Check out Balsam Grove, which is just 50 miles away.

Plus, retiring to Balsam Grove puts you close to some of the Blue Ridge Mountains' top trails, including Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam Knob trails. If you love the outdoors, this is a great place to settle.

Average monthly rent: $1,300

Median home price: $269,500

A small college town in eastern Appalachia, Berea is an art-lover's paradise. Spend time connecting with local artists at the numerous downtown shops. You'll find everything from photography to glass art.

Berea is within driving distance of several larger, more expensive cities, including Louisville, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Average monthly rent: $2,900

Median home price: $143,442

Big Stone Gap is a small Appalachian town with about 5,100 residents. Living there means you're always near outdoor recreation at Jefferson National Forest.

It takes an impressively small amount of money to thrive in Big Stone Gap. With a cost of living 30.4% lower than the U.S. average, families need about $2,200 a month.

Average monthly rent: $1,100

Median home price: $236,000

If you like warm weather and minimal precipitation, look for a home in Bisbee, Arizona, or nearby suburbs like Bakerville, Warren, and Lowell.

On average, Bisbee families need about $3,120 per month to live in Bisbee. Your Social Security payment will almost certainly cover that.

The low cost and impeccable views make Bisbee popular among artists and people who appreciate retreating from consumerist culture.

Average monthly rent: $1,500

Median home price: $271,271

Living in Butte requires about $3,840 per month, which most couples receiving Social Security can afford. With a cost of living 20.4% lower than the national average, you'll love how far your dollar goes here.

To get even higher into the mountains, head to Hollowtop Mountain. It's only about 50 miles away and offers spectacular views.

Average monthly rent: $900

Median home price: $216,500

Charleston is West Virginia's capital and most populous city, but it still has incredibly affordable prices for retirees living on Social Security benefits.

Although the cost of living is slightly higher than West Virginia's average, it's 18.7% below the national average. If you have $2,500 per month, you'll live quite well in this vibrant mountain town.

Average monthly rent: $1,300

Median home price: $275,000

The typical family needs about $3,700 per month to live in Hot Springs. That should put the town well within your price range.

Nearby highlights include Ouachita National Forest and Lake Hamilton.

Average monthly rent: $1,225

Median home price: $296,000

You can still find affordable towns in Oregon's Blue Mountains and Elkhorn Mountains. La Grande puts you right between those areas.

Families spend about $4,200 living in La Grande. As a couple, you can manage your expenses to make your Social Security benefits cover your lifestyle.

Average monthly rent: $1,333

Median home price: $361,143

Rapid City has the highest median home price of any city on this list, but the cost of living is 2.2% lower than the national average. Ideally, you should have at least $4,700 per month to live here.

It's worth it considering that you get to live so close to natural wonders like Black Hills National Forest and Badlands National Park.

Average monthly rent: $850

Median home price: $200,720

You might expect a mountain town in Wyoming to get brutally cold during winter. Even in the coldest month, though, the highs in Rawlins stay above 30 degrees.

A family will need about $3,000 per month to live in Rawlins, so a couple can retire there quite easily.

Average monthly rent: $654

Median home price: $275,190

Don't let expensive cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia keep you out of Washington. You'll need about $4,000 per month to live in Republic.

Those other cities are within driving distance, so you can save money and only visit them when you want. Plus, you'll have easy access to Colville National Forest and North Cascades National Park.

Average monthly rent: $3,750

Median home price: $274,500

Saranac Lake sits at the foot of McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. High Peaks Wilderness is also nearby.

It's a lovely place with plenty of recreational options for retirees who can afford to pay about $4,400 per month.

You have plenty of terrific options if you want to live in an adorable mountain town on nothing but Social Security. And you're not alone. One survey shows that 27% of older Americans rely solely on Social Security income. They make it work, and you can, too.

Of course, if you can supplement your Social Security income with any investments, pension, or another source of income you may have, it can help you live very comfortably in these locations.