8 Small Towns Where Social Security Covers the Bills

When it comes to planning for retirement, your Social Security benefit amount is one of your top considerations. According to the latest data, the average retired worker receives about $2,012.30 per month in Social Security benefits. Whether that's enough to live on largely depends on where you choose to settle — and if you haven't looked at affordable small towns yet, we found several that deserve a spot on your list.

Keep reading to learn about locales where the cost of living is low and retirees can still make ends meet on nothing more than Social Security.

Editor's note: Unless otherwise noted, all rental data listed below came from Apartments.com, and all housing data came from Redfin.

Average rent: $791

Median home sale price: $228,900

Mitchell may have a low population and low cost of living, but its bustling downtown, rich history, and opportunities for outdoor recreation ensure there's never a slow moment.

If you're hoping to stay fit in retirement, Mitchell maintains several town parks with walking trails, or you can also explore multiple hiking trails outside the city. Keep your mind young by exploring Mitchell's many museums, from the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village to the expansive Dakota Discovery Museum.

Average rent: $732

Median home sales price: $340,000

If you're a sun-loving snowbird, Arizona may just be your dream retirement destination. Around 3,000 people call Parker home, and along with the sunshine, they benefit from perks like food costs that are 40% below average and healthcare costs that are 63% below average.

Nearby state parks let you enjoy low-cost recreational opportunities, but you can also put some of the money you save on daily expenses toward a few rounds of golf at the local Emerald Canyon Golf Course.

Average rent: $700*

Median home sales price: $121,000

*Data from Zillow

The Midwest is a prime destination for anyone hoping to escape the over-inflated food, utility, and housing costs on the East and West Coasts. For instance, in the tiny town of Corning (which has around 1,500 residents), food is 23% cheaper than average. Residents also save big on healthcare, which is 27.5% cheaper than average.

Plus, you won't lack things to do in retirement. Outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy the six miles of trails at Corning's Lake Icaria. And history buffs can explore Johnny Carson's birthplace and the French Icarian Village, which is the oldest non-religious utopian society in the United States.

Average rent: $739

Median home sales price: $200,000

Craving a sense of community in retirement? Big Rapids has a downtown Social District where you can eat, drink, shop, and connect with other residents. The Parks and Rec department goes out of its way to coordinate classes and events for adults, including senior water aerobics, a "Delay the Disease" Parkinson's class, senior fitness time, and a season-long summer concert series.

Average rent: $794

Median home sales price: $235,000

With a state cost of living 11% below the U.S. average, Arkansas is easily one of the most affordable places you can relocate to in retirement. It's also one of the most beautiful places, especially Hot Springs, which doubles as a national park that preserves the centuries-old tradition of relaxing in the town's naturally occurring thermal hot springs.

Average rent: $668

Median home sales price: $200,000

Located in quaint, forested Allegheny County, Brentwood is a cozy, senior-friendly town. It's also right outside Pittsburgh — though you have to cross the river to enter the city — which makes Brentwood a good spot for anyone who wants the look and feel of a small town alongside the perks of living adjacent to a major metropolitan area.

Average rent: $1,113

Median home sales price: $277,450

In Fairfield, Ohio, the cost of living is 3% below the national average, but it's an entire 32% lower than the state average — which is saying a lot, since the Midwest is notoriously affordable.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore the bike paths and hiking trails that weave through the city's 161-acre Harbin Park. Or, to build community, consider signing up for a pottery or fitness class at the Community Arts Center.

Average rent: $861

Median home sales price: $292,500

Located just outside of Sioux Falls, Yankton sits right alongside the scenic Missouri River, which visitors and residents can observe in all its glory from the two-story Meridian Pedestrian Bridge. If you've always planned to enjoy a slower pace of life during retirement, you'll love the Gavins Point Dam, where patient nature-lovers can spend hours watching for eagles.

During the summer, the site becomes a hotspot for boaters, fishers, and sunbathers alike.

Hammering out your budget ahead of time is one of the best things you can do to set yourself up for a stress-free retirement. Make sure to research average housing, utility, transportation, and healthcare costs in the area you're considering, then carefully compare them against your estimated Social Security benefit.

Remember that taking benefits early comes with a permanent reduction, so it's worth consulting a retirement planner to ensure you're making the most of your income.