Social Security is supposed to replace about 40% of the income earned in working years, according to the federal agency. That’s why Americans are urged to save for retirement.
For retirees in big cities, however, Social Security dollars may not even go that far.
In large U.S. cities and their suburbs, Social Security income covers only around 30% of what the average retiree spends in a year, according to a new analysis from the personal finance site LendingTree.
Across the 100 largest metropolitan areas, Social Security covers anywhere from 24% of annual retirement spending (in San Francisco) to 35% of yearly spending (in McAllen, Texas), LendingTree found in the July 15 report.
To live a comfortable retirement in any of those cities, the report says, you’ll need lots of savings: $1.6 million in Los Angeles or San Francisco, $1.3 million in Philadelphia or Chicago, $1.1 million in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Life is expensive in bigger cities in America today,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree. “Not breaking news, but unfortunately, this is not something that’s going to get better anytime soon. And it makes for a scary situation.”
The analysis used data from the Labor Department, Social Security Administration and U.S. Census to estimate annual retiree spending and average Social Security benefits in each large metropolitan area. Among the findings:
In the 100 largest metro areas, the average annual Social Security income is $21,500. That’s about 30% of what retirees spend in a year, in pre-tax dollars.
Social Security covers more than one-third of average retirement spending in only one of the 100 largest metro areas: McAllen, Texas.
Of the 10 big cities where Social Security is stretched thinnest, eight sit in California.
The most affordable cities for retirees don’t share much in common, except that they don’t rank among the very largest metros, and they aren’t in California. Relatively affordable cities include Pittsburgh; Tucson, Arizona; and Rochester, N.Y.
“These are very different cities, in all sorts of ways,” Schulz said. “One thing this does show is that the biggest of the big cities are going to be a challenge, in no uncertain terms.”
A view of the Pittsburgh skyline from the Three Rivers Trail, located along the city’s North Shore area, on May 10, 2020. Pittsburgh Skyline (Northshore)
Here’s how far Social Security goes in some of America’s largest metropolitan areas. We’ll list the most affordable metros first.
Pittsburgh: Social Security retirement income averages $21,978 per year, and retirement spending averages $55,882 per year. Social Security covers 32.2% of the pre-tax dollars you’d need to cover that spending, which total $68,176.
(For the remaining cities on this list, we will skip the wonky “pre-tax” figure. You get the idea.)
Rochester, N.Y.: Rochester has an average Social Security retirement income of $22,581 per year. Retirees spend an average of $57,835 annually. Social Security covers 32% of annual retirement spending.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Social Security income averages $20,860, and retirement spending averages $53,869. Social Security covers 31.7% of that spending.
Milwaukee: Average Social Security income is $21,784 a year. Average retirement spending is $56,533. Social Security covers 31.6% of that spending.
The Indianapolis skyline as seen from the Indianapolis International Airport tarmac on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Indianapolis: Retirees spend an average of $56,000 a year in Indianapolis. Average Social Security income is $21,491. Social Security covers 31.5% of retirement spending.
Las Vegas: Social Security income averages $22,105 a year. Retirees spend $57,658 per year. Social Security covers 31.4% of that spending.
Detroit: Retirees spend $58,013 a year, on average. Social Security income averages $22,117. Social Security covers 31.3% of retirement spending.
The sun sets over the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge and the Casey’s Center, July 10, 2025, in Des Moines.
Des Moines, Iowa: Retirees spend an average of $54,876 per year. Social Security retirement income averages $20,817. Social Security covers 31.1% of retirement spending.
Louisville, Kentucky: Social Security income averages $20,948. Retirement spending averages $55,645. Social Security covers 30.9% of that spending.
Cleveland: Social Security income averages $20,665, and retirement spending averages $55,053 per year. Social Security covers 30.8% of that spending.
The city it lit up for Opening Day in Cincinnati, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Cincinnati: Social Security income averages $20,665 a year. Retirement spending averages $55,704. Social Security covers 30.4% of that spending.
Austin, Texas: Social Security income averages $21,398, and retirement spending averages $57,776 per year. Social Security covers 30.4% of that spending.
Jacksonville, Florida: Social Security income averages $21,740. Annual retirement spending averages $58,723. Social Security covers 30.4% of that spending.
Columbus, Ohio: Social Security income averages $20,665, and retirement spending averages $55,941 a year. Social Security covers 30.3% of that spending.
A view of the Nashville skyline from the Midtown area on April 27, 2025.
Nashville, Tennessee: Social Security income averages $21,157. Retirement spending averages $57,568. Social Security covers 30.1% of that spending.
Chicago: Social Security income averages $21,922. Annual retirement spending averages $60,736. Social Security covers 29.6% of that spending.
Houston: Social Security income averages $21,398 a year. Retirement spending averages $59,315. Social Security covers 29.6% of that spending.
Philadelphia: Social Security income averages $21,978 a year. Retirement spending averages $61,269. Social Security covers 29.4% of that spending.
Atlanta: Social Security income averages $21,317 a year. Retirement spending averages $59,730. Social Security covers 29.3% of that spending.
The view of the Phoenix City Council Chambers (circular building) and surrounding skyline downtown.
Phoenix: Average Social Security income is $21,989 a year. Retirement spending averages $62,453. Social Security covers 28.9% of that spending.
Dallas: Average Social Security income is $21,398 a year. Retirement spending averages $61,150. Social Security covers 28.7% of that spending.
Boston: Social Security income averages $22,397 a year. Retirees spend $66,064, on average. Social Security covers 27.8% of that spending.
New York: Average Social Security income is $22,581 a year. Retirement spending averages $66,597. Social Security covers 27.8% of that spending.
Jan 30, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; General overall view of palm trees and the downtown Miami skyline. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Miami: Social Security income averages $21,740. Retirees spend $66,182 per year, on average. Social Security covers 26.9% of that spending.
San Diego: Social Security income averages $20,726. Retirement spending averages $66,005. Social Security covers 25.7% of that spending.
Washington, D.C.: Social Security income averages $19,540. Retirement spending averages $64,288. Social Security covers 24.9% of that spending.
Los Angeles: Social Security income averages $20,726. Retirement spending averages $68,372. Social Security covers 24.9% of that spending.
San Francisco: Social Security income averages $20,726. Retirement spending averages $69,971. Social Security covers 24.3% of that spending.
