7 Best Cities Abroad Where You Can Live on Social Security Only
In America, it’s getting harder and harder to stretch a Social Security check far enough to cover everything from tariff-riddled food costs to inflated housing costs, so many retirees turn to living abroad, where money seems to stretch a bit further. In addition to enjoying a new culture, American retirees may find that a Social Security check is enough to live off of overseas, sometimes comfortably.
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For some price perspective, the average monthly Social Security check for retired workers is currently estimated at around $2,002. To determine the best cities abroad where you can live on Social Security only, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of living in countries around the world to find the best places where someone who receives the average Social Security income for one person can cover the entire cost of living abroad.
Find out which countries have an incredibly affordable cost of living.
Muscat, Oman
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,380
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $623
Expats looking for wiggle room in their monthly budget and a high quality of life with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major cities can think outside the box and relocate to Muscat. Oman is generally welcoming to expats, with a large foreign-born population, but keep in mind that retirement visas there typically require applicants to be at least 60 years old and provide proof of financial stability.
Zagreb, Croatia
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,828
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $175
This city has a blend of affordability, culture and access to quality healthcare. Take that, America. However, non-EU citizens will need to navigate visa and residency requirements, which can be complex.
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Vilnius, Lithuania
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,829
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $174
The first thing you think of when you are debating your dream retirement destinations may not be Lithuania, but Vilnius is an attractive option for retirees seeking a comfortable and affordable lifestyle in Europe, without the bigger European city price tag. This Western European city is a great mix of historical charm and modern amenities.
Riga, Latvia
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,650
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $352
Riga offers a blend of a vibrant culture scene and relatively affordable living, particularly in comparison to other European capitals. However, before you pack your bags, make sure to consider factors like the language barrier, potential safety concerns and colder winters.
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,507
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $496
New Taipei can offer a blend of city convenience and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to Taipei, with a lower cost of living in some areas. For example, GOBankingRates found that on average, residents spend only about $126 on eating out at restaurants per month.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,858
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $144
You may be more aligned with Nicosia if you want your golden years to be spent in a warm climate with a laid-back lifestyle and a relatively low cost of living. However, though your Social Security check will cover your living expenses and then some, it’s important to be aware of the specific requirements for living there, such as acquiring a residence permit.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Estimated monthly cost of living: $1,941
Average monthly savings from Social Security income: $61
Bratislava not only gives you all the vibes of living in Europe but also puts you in place with a great public transport system to grant you easy access to other major European cities. GOBankingRates found that residents spend about $42 a month on public transit and taxis combined.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of living in countries around the world to find the best places where someone who receives the average Social Security Income for one person can cover the entire cost of living abroad. Using Numbeo.com, the cost of living estimations were found using the following parameters; 1 household member, eating out at restaurants 20% of the time, and when they eat out at restaurants they choose inexpensive places 70% of the time, they drink coffee outside the house at a low frequency, they participate in activities outside the home an average amount of once per week, they do not smoke cigarettes, they moderately drink alcohol, they prefer western style food at home, they do not use a car, they do not use a taxi, they purchase a monthly public transportation ticket, they purchase a sports club membership, they do not take vacations, they purchase clothing and shoes on a moderate frequency, they rent a one bedroom apartment in the city center, and they have no children they are paying schooling for. Using all the average cost of living costs, the total cost of living can be calculated. Using the monthly average Social Security Income for one person as sourced from the Social Security Administration, the locations where the average Social Security Income can cover the entire cost of living are identified. Places where the entire cost of living can be covered by Social Security Income are selected and using the overall quality of life, as sourced from Numbeo’s quality of life index by country, the places were sorted to show the best locations first. The safety index and climate index were also sourced from Numbeo as supplemental information. All data was collected on and is up to date as of June 16th, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Best Cities Abroad Where You Can Live on Social Security Only
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