Here are the 5 cities retirees squeeze the most out of their Social Security — with benefits covering over 32% of costs

The Social Security system was designed as a standardized, national safety net for American seniors. However, depending on where you live, the net can be thicker and more comfortable for you.

LendingTree’s analysis of government data on taxes and living expenses found that Social Security payments cover, on average, roughly 30.11% of a retiree’s spending needs. But in the top five metropolitan regions, these monthly benefit payments can cover significantly more.

Surprisingly, four of the top five most affordable locations are all in two states: New York and Texas.

Here are the cities where you can squeeze the most out of your Social Security paychecks.

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5. Scranton, Pennsylvania

Fans of The Office will remember Michael Scott proudly declaring, “Scranton is the Paris of northeastern Pennsylvania!” While that may be debatable, LendingTree’s analysis finds that the town is certainly an ideal fit for budget-conscious retirees.

Social Security payments could cover 32.72% of an average senior’s retirement needs, according to the report. That’s because the city’s cost of living is relatively low and an average senior needs to generate just $67,165 in pre-tax income to live comfortably.

4. Syracuse, New York

It takes just four hours of driving to get from one of the most expensive cities in the world, New York, to one of the most affordable places to retire in America: Syracuse.

According to LendingTree’s calculations, a typical retiree would expect to spend just $56,355 to live here, which implies a need for $68,754 in pre-tax annual income. Approximately 32.84% of that is covered by the average Social Security payments.

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3. El Paso, Texas

Of the 100 metros analyzed by LendingTree, El Paso was the third-most retirement friendly, based on how far benefit payments go. For a typical retiree, Social Security covers nearly 32.85% of living needs.

2. Buffalo, New York

Retirees in Buffalo are in the fortunate position of being able to cover nearly a third of their living needs with Social Security. A retiree here needs a pre-tax annual income of $68,176 to live comfortably and 33.12% of that is covered by benefit payments over the course of the year.

1. McAllen, Texas

If you rely on Social Security to make ends meet, McAllen might be the best place to live in the country. On average, a senior needs to generate just $61,821 before taxes to meet annual living expenses comfortably. Social Security benefits cover roughly 34.61% of that.

Is it time to move?

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, it may be tempting to consider moving to one of the cities mentioned above. After all, if Social Security covers nearly a third of your living expenses, you need a relatively small nest egg to cover the rest with passive income.

However, moving to a new state or town in your golden years based solely on how far you can stretch your benefits check might not be a good idea.

You also need to consider other factors, such as the cost and quality of healthcare, the amenities available to seniors, the proximity to your friends and family and the expenses of relocating.

Perhaps the most important factor is taxes. Your passive income and property will face different tax rates in different states, so you may need to consult an expert tax advisor to see if moving will actually save you money in the long run.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.