Here are the ten states where you can live solely on Social Security benefits

A new analysis by Realtor.com has found that Social Security benefits alone are enough to cover living expenses in only 10 states.

Outside of those 10 states, retirees face deficits of thousands of dollars when relying solely on Social Security benefits.

Delaware tops the list with an annual surplus of $1,764, calculated by subtracting living costs from total Social Security payments.

Indiana and Arizona follow, both with a surplus of more than $1,000. Indiana’s surplus comes out at $1,392, while Arizona retirees’ surplus is $1,224.

The remaining states in the top 10 are Utah, South Carolina, West Virginia, Alabama, Nevada, Tennessee and Michigan. Michigan barely makes the list, with a $132 surplus.

On the other end of the spectrum, Vermont is the worst state for living on Social Security benefits. Beneficiaries in the state face a deficit of $8,088 per year.

Massachusetts is not far behind, ranking third in terms of benefit deficits. The annual deficit totals $7,345, based on a median monthly cost of $2,634. The monthly benefit falls short of that number at $2,022.

Housing costs contribute significantly to the states with the highest deficits. In the 10 surplus states, retirees spend an average of $500 a month on housing expenses, whereas in the shortfall states, the average is nearly double the housing costs at $933 per month.

The website conducted the analysis using the median Social Security benefits by state and the Elder Economic Security Standard Index.

Every year, the Social Security Administration assesses a Cost of Living Adjustment meant to adjust Social Security benefits to inflation — 2026’s COLA is set to be announced on Oct. 15.