Finding Your Ideal Retirement Destination: Best Places to Live for Single Retired Females on Social Security

Retirement for single retired females presents distinct financial challenges that differ significantly from their male counterparts. According to Prudential Financial research, women hold less than one-third of the median retirement savings that men accumulate over their careers. The income gap begins in the workplace—women earn substantially less than men—which directly translates to smaller Social Security benefits. Additionally, women are three times more likely to leave the workforce temporarily or permanently to fulfill caregiving responsibilities, further reducing their Social Security contributions and subsequent retirement income.

The disparity in benefits becomes starkly evident when examining actual numbers. The Social Security Administration reported that the median monthly benefit for women in 2024 was $1,623, compared to $2,080 for men. This $457 monthly gap might seem manageable until confronted with real-world living expenses. The average apartment rent across the United States reached $1,739 monthly as of mid-2024, according to rental market data, making it mathematically impossible for many single retired females to afford housing in urban centers while relying solely on Social Security.

Why Location Matters for Female Retirees Relying on Social Security

The solution for many women navigating this financial landscape involves strategic relocation to communities where Social Security benefits stretch further. However, choosing an affordable location shouldn’t mean compromising on safety or quality of life. Female retirees prioritize low crime rates, accessible healthcare facilities, and vibrant senior social programs—factors that create secure, fulfilling retirement experiences.

GOBankingRates conducted comprehensive research analyzing crime statistics from the FBI, demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and economic information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the safest and most affordable communities for retirement. Their findings revealed multiple U.S. cities where annual living costs fall substantially below the national average while maintaining strong community safety records.

Midwest Communities: Leading Safe and Affordable Choices

Several Midwestern cities emerged as particularly attractive options for single retired females seeking affordable living without sacrificing security. Dubuque, Iowa offers an annual cost of living at $61,949 with violent crime rate scores of 0.853 and property crime scores of 0.914. Nearby, Fergus Falls, Minnesota provides comparable affordability at $64,065 annually alongside violent crime rate scores of 0.930 and property crime scores of 0.887.

Rochester, Minnesota attracted attention with its excellent healthcare infrastructure, boasting an annual cost of living of $68,735. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin rounds out the Midwest selections with annual costs of $64,211, violent crime scores of 0.939, and property crime scores of 0.878. These communities consistently demonstrate that affordable retirement destinations cluster in regions with strong economic fundamentals and established community networks.

Northeast and Mountain Region Options

Moving eastward, several communities demonstrate that Northeast and surrounding regions can accommodate budget-conscious female retirees. Keene, New Hampshire features an annual cost of living of $67,203 with violent crime rate scores of 0.945 and property crime scores of 0.894. Jonesborough, Tennessee positioned near the mountain region, offers particularly low annual costs of $61,730 alongside violent crime scores of 0.973 and property crime scores of 0.925—among the highest safety ratings in the analysis.

Western and Southern Destinations

Western options include Anacortes, Washington, where annual living costs reach $85,882 with violent crime scores of 0.971 and property crime scores of 0.833. Southern choices encompass Oxford, Mississippi at $60,490 annually with violent crime scores of 0.916, and Pinehurst, North Carolina at $68,516 annually with exceptional safety metrics (violent crime 0.989, property crime 0.983). Kettering, Ohio rounds out the selections with $58,228 annual costs and strong crime prevention scores of 0.984 (violent) and 0.933 (property).

State-Level Insights: Broader Retirement Destination Rankings

Beyond individual cities, research organizations have identified entire states as particularly suited for female retirees. Insider Monkey’s analysis identified Delaware, Washington, Minnesota, Colorado, and Florida as top-tier retirement destinations for women, considering factors beyond pure affordability.

Provise Management Group offered an alternative perspective, ranking Hawaii, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Oregon, and Arizona as optimal states for female retirees based on different weighted criteria. However, some higher-ranking states like Hawaii carry significant costs that may challenge those depending heavily on Social Security benefits, requiring careful evaluation of specific communities within these states rather than blanket state-level decisions.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Retirement Home

Successful retirement location selection for single retired females extends beyond identifying low-cost housing. Comprehensive evaluation should encompass multiple dimensions: violent crime statistics and property crime prevention, proximity to quality healthcare facilities, availability of active senior social programs, cost-of-living alignment with actual Social Security benefits, and community demographics indicating established retiree populations.

The ideal community combines affordability with security, ensuring that monthly Social Security benefits cover essential expenses while female retirees maintain peace of mind and social engagement. Many of the identified communities offer established senior networks, volunteer opportunities, and cultural activities that enhance retirement quality beyond mere financial survival.

Moving Forward: Strategic Planning for Retirement Relocation

For single retired females navigating Social Security-dependent retirement, finding the best places to live requires balancing multiple priorities. The communities and states highlighted above represent carefully researched options where affordable retirement becomes genuinely achievable without sacrificing personal safety or access to community support systems. Each offers distinct advantages—some emphasizing particularly low crime rates, others providing especially budget-friendly housing markets, and many combining both factors successfully. Strategic location selection transforms the challenge of living on Social Security alone from an impossible situation into a viable, sustainable retirement lifestyle.