trying to skate over single social security check It’s a challenge no matter where you live. According to , the average retirement check as of July 2023 was $1,790.56 per month. Social Security Administration. That’s less than the average rent in the U.S., which was $2,038 a month in July, according to Rent.com.
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Among states, Georgia tends to have lower-than-average rents, but only by a small amount. The Peach State ranks in the middle when it comes to affordability and cost of living, according to a report by U.S. News. However, if you live in the Atlanta metropolitan area, you can expect the cost of living to be much higher. The same goes for popular tourist destinations like Savannah and Tybee Island.
The list of “worst” places to live in Georgia for a single Social Security check does not mean they are bad places to live, most are great places to live. But if funding is limited, it won’t last long in certain areas of the state.Here are 12 places to visit in Georgia Avoid if you have to live off your Social Security check alone.
John’s Creek
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Average monthly rent: $2,593
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,983.39
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Livability index: 65
Johns Creek, located in North Fulton County, describes itself as an “emerging affluent Atlanta suburb.” red flag If your only income in retirement is one Social Security check. Johns Creek tends to have higher rents and living costs, making it a good choice for young families and professionals.
explore: What would it take to fund one Social Security check in every state?
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cumming
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Average monthly rent: $2,401
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,760.02
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Livability index: 73
Cumming offers many recreational and scenic attractions, with access to Lake Lanier, Mount Thorney, and the Big Creek Greenway. The 135-acre Halcyon mixed-use development also has plenty of retail stores and restaurants. But Cumming’s high cost of living is a deterrent for seniors on a tight budget.
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buford
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Average monthly rent: $2,288
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,649.52
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Livability index: 68
Rent and cost of living in Buford are higher than average, too bad for retirees looking for small-town charm and a thriving arts scene. The town’s main street is home to the historic Tannery Row Artist Colony, as well as fine dining and decorative shops. If you’re living off one Social Security check, being “luxury” isn’t necessarily a plus.
canton
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Average monthly rent: $2,146
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,524.15
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Livability index: 62
Canton is located between Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering beautiful views of the rolling hills and the Etowah River. Although Canton has many shopping, dining, cultural, and recreational options, its livability score is modest and the cost of living is high.
mcdonough
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Average monthly rent: $2,065
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,439.06
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Livability score: 59
Located about 30 miles south of Atlanta, McDonough isn’t as expensive as some of the other places on this list. But it remains expensive for people living off Social Security checks and has a relatively low livability score. On the plus side, it’s a good place if you like playing golf and picking fresh produce.
Related: 12 Best Places for Couples to Live on Social Security Checks in North Carolina
alpharetta
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Average monthly rent: $2,287
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,676.07
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Livability index: 75
Alpharetta is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and bills itself as “one of the hottest markets for both commercial and residential real estate.” That means real estate there is very expensive. It is an ideal location for young families and professionals looking for work opportunities, shopping, cultural events and green spaces. But for seniors on a tight budget, it’s not a good choice.
loganville
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Average monthly rent: $2,227
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,598.81
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Livability index: 72
Loganville is located in Walton and Gwinnett counties, approximately halfway between Atlanta and Athens, home to the University of Georgia. Although livability scores are fair, higher-than-average rents and living costs make it difficult for retirees with limited resources to live comfortably in Loganville.
snell building
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Average monthly rent: $2,086
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,446.06
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Livability index: 63
This is also a town between Atlanta and Athens. Snellville is described as a “bustling suburb with small-town charm,” offering a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as award-winning schools and easy access to Stone Mountain and other locations and parks. Access is also a feature. This sounds great for young families, but not for seniors looking for affordable housing.
more: 15 Best Places to Live with Just a Social Security Check
newnan
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Average monthly rent: $2,022
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,396.27
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Livability index: 61
Newnan is a small town just 30 minutes south of Atlanta. That means you’re close enough to pay higher prices than other small towns. Part of the Newnan-Coweta region, it is comprised of seven communities and has easy access to the Chattahoochee River. However, Newnan isn’t necessarily cheap and has a so-so livability score.
dallas
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Average monthly rent: $2,123
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,486.84
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Livability index: 67
Dallas is the county seat of Paulding County and is located approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. One of Dallas’ main attractions is the Silver Comet Trail. This is a “rail-to-trail” paved path that takes cyclists to the Alabama border in one direction and to Atlanta in the other. This is great for avid cyclists, but seniors on a budget won’t get much pleasure out of Dallas’ cost of living.
Acworth
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Average monthly rent: $2,099
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,494.15
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Livability score: 69
Acworth has many of the same characteristics as Dallas in terms of small-town charm and access to downtown Atlanta. Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona provide plenty of outdoor options, and the city is well stocked with “chef-driven” restaurants and craft breweries. The problem with Acworth, like other places on this list, is that it’s not at all affordable for seniors trying to live off one Social Security check.
learn: 20 Best Places to Live in the South with Just a Social Security Check
fayetteville
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Average monthly rent: $2,113
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Total monthly living expenses: $3,484.32
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Livability index: 70
Fayetteville, located in Fayette County, is a suburb of Atlanta with a population of 18,633. Fayetteville is home to many young professionals and has a high employment rate. home ownershipThat could spell trouble for retirees looking for cheap rent and affordable housing options.
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the worst cities in Georgia to live solely on Social Security checks, based on the average monthly benefit for retired workers of $1,790.56 ($3,581.12 for married couples) from the Social Security Administration. GOBankingRates first isolated all North Carolina cities with a housing market size below 1,000 (meaning they are one of the 1,000 largest markets in the U.S.). GOBankingRates then used Sperling’s Best to look at the grocery and health care index scores to find the cost of living index for each city on the list. GOBankingRates then uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey to examine annual spending for both groceries (“home meals”) and health care for people age 65 and older. , to find out how much it costs a 65-year-old couple. Each city spends more than it spends on monthly groceries and medical expenses. GOBankingRates then totaled monthly housing, grocery, and medical expenses to find areas where couples over the age of 65 could not live on less than Social Security. GOBankingRates scores and combines both livability and monthly essential spending, with the highest scores being the worst. In the final calculation, the total monthly necessities expenditure was weighted by a factor of 3. All data is collected and current as of September 11, 2023.
This article was first published GOBankingRates.com: 12 Worst Places in Georgia for Couples to Live on Social Security Checks
