9. El Paso, Texas
| Avg. 1BR Rent ~$900/mo |
SS Covers Rent? ✅ Yes |
SS Tax? No SS Tax |
State Texas |
El Paso is one of the most underrated retirement destinations in the entire country. Average 1-bedroom rents run around $900 per month, Texas has no state income tax (including on Social Security), and the city’s dry desert climate is a major draw for retirees seeking sunshine and warmth year-round.
Situated against the Franklin Mountains with the Rio Grande running through its heart, El Paso offers stunning natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and some of the most affordable large-city living in Texas. The cuisine, music, and art scenes reflect the city’s unique bicultural identity. Fort Bliss anchors the local economy and brings a strong military community, including excellent healthcare through William Beaumont Army Medical Center and University Medical Center of El Paso.
For retirees who want warm weather, a vibrant culture, low taxes, and rents well within Social Security’s reach, El Paso is a genuinely exceptional choice in 2026 — one that deserves far more attention than it gets from retirement-planning publications.
We live in Las Vegas and need a place that includes utilities and cable. Me and my husband make $38,000 a year and now pay $1000 a month just making it. We need to be out of here by January 2027.
I don’t believe you’ll find any place that pays for cable. Some places pay for water but not gas and electric.
Is Mazatlan Mexico a good option???
I’m in Lakeport Ca I can’t recommend it if you rent good luck finding a good honest landlord. Gas is expensive 5.79 a gallon. Not much to do and some people are strange just like most places I guess. I’m trying to get out asap but where? Please advise 🙏.
I can’t even read the article! All I see are a bunch of ads and links that go to more ads. I see Toledo and that’s it. So where’s the other 24?!
Thank u for this list. I am 59 and want to retire at 62. Can you please send me an updated list in 2 years? Thank you!
Idaho, western states?
You don’t need cable. Just get WI-FI and you can buy a Super Box for about $300.00. This device is capable of streaming tv regular channels, movies and sports. It seems to me that with 38000 a year minus 12000 for rent.-leaving you about 26000 for all other expenses, you should be able to make it. Unless you are gambling your $$ away!
Looking for apartments in the Orlando, FL and surrounded area
Me too. Where’s the rest of the article just more adds. WTF!!!!!
There is not a city in the USA that doesn’t tax our social security. Some states do not take taxes out of each monthly check, but when you file your federal taxes, you must include your total SS benefits on your federal form and IF you also have a pension or any other income coming in, SOME percentage of your SS will be added to that total and taxes will be calculated on that amount. They’re going to get their money one way or another because our government is greedy!
Go up to where there are a bunch of numbers in boxes…. those are the other cities.