For couples trying to stretch a fixed check, the South offers a cluster of small towns where a Social Security deposit can realistically cover the basics. Recent reporting on Southern Small Towns Where Couples Can Retire on Nothing but Social Security highlights places where modest costs and slower-paced living intersect. Drawing on that research, along with coverage of beach communities and the cheapest small towns, I focus here on 10 specific Southern spots where living on benefits alone is presented as achievable.
1) McGehee, Arkansas
McGehee, Arkansas appears in coverage of southern small towns where couples can retire on Social Security, signaling that typical expenses there are low enough for benefits to shoulder the core budget. That inclusion indicates housing, utilities, and daily necessities are priced in a way that aligns with a fixed monthly check rather than a large nest egg. For retirees, the key implication is that McGehee is framed as a place where the math of retirement can work even without tapping substantial savings.
Because McGehee is treated as one of several Southern Small Towns Where Couples Can Retire, it also fits into a broader pattern of smaller communities absorbing retirees priced out of big metros. I read that trend as a response to Rising costs in larger cities, which are pushing older residents toward towns where Social Security can still function as a primary income source. For couples, that shift can mean trading some amenities for the security of knowing the rent and groceries are covered.
2) Union, Mississippi
Union, Mississippi is another community singled out in the same analysis of Southern Small Towns Where Couples Can Retire, which positions it as a place where a Social Security check can plausibly meet monthly obligations. That framing dovetails with broader reporting on Mississippi for couples living on Social Security, including a separate look at Mississippi for retirement on benefits alone. Together, these sources suggest that smaller Mississippi towns like Union are part of a statewide pattern of relatively low housing and everyday costs.
For couples, the stakes are straightforward: if Union’s expenses track with the Social Security-focused research, it offers a buffer against inflation that many larger markets no longer provide. I see that as especially important for households without pensions or sizable 401(k) balances. In that context, Union’s appearance in multiple Social Security discussions signals that it is not just affordable in theory, but actively being evaluated as a realistic landing spot for budget-conscious retirees.
3) Abbeville, Louisiana
Abbeville, Louisiana is highlighted both among Southern Small Towns Where Couples Can Retire and in a list of charming beach towns for Social Security-only retirement. That dual appearance links affordability with proximity to coastal or coastal-adjacent recreation, a combination many retirees seek but rarely find at Social Security price points. Another report on Towns In Louisiana Where Couples Can Live On Nothing But Social Security also names Abbeville, reinforcing the idea that local costs align with benefit-level income…