If you’re a retired couple on a Social Security-only budget , looking for a livable place to settle down, your options in Nevada are limited.
See: What Happens to Your Social Security Check When Your Spouse Dies?
Also: How Much the Average Person 65 and Older Spends Monthly
GOBankingRates has analyzed the numbers — including livability scores sourced from AreaVibes. We found just seven Nevada cities with a livability score of at least 70 and a cost of living within reach of the average combined Social Security benefit for a couple. That’s $3,811 a month, according to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration.
Part of that lack of options is sample size. Nevada is the seventh-largest U.S. state by area but only the 32 nd most populous, and it has only about 120 cities to choose from. On top of that, nearly three-quarters of the state’s 3.1 million residents live in Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County.
As retirement destinations go, the Silver State offers tax friendliness (no state income tax and relatively low property taxes), a reasonable cost of living, some gorgeous natural beauty and opportunities for fun in places like the aforementioned Las Vegas, aka Sin City. Possible cons include extreme temperatures and hard-to-find healthcare in the state’s more rural areas.