The American City On The East Coast Where Retirees Can Only Live 10 Days A Month On Social Security Alone

Tucked just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia, has long been known as a place where policy professionals and federal workers live for quick access to the capital. But beyond its proximity to political power, Arlington is a city of contrasts — one that blends its government-heavy roots with a walkable, modern lifestyle that consistently draws in retirees who want both urban energy and suburban calm. 

However, Arlington is also an East Coast city where Social Security checks barely make a dent for retirees. According to GOBankingRates, a married couple living in Arlington in 2025 can expect their combined Social Security benefits to last only 10.46 days each month. The shortfall is due to the fact that the typical average monthly expenses for a couple in Arlington exceeds $5,300. Clearly, extra savings or additional income sources are critical to survive Arlington's steep costs.

According to a 2024 SmartAsset analysis of Census data, Arlington had the highest mean retirement income in the country, with retirees earning $90,140 annually. Of this total, $24,296 came from Social Security, while the remaining $65,844 was drawn from pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other accounts. Arlington may offer a golden lifestyle, but it takes more than a few golden years to afford it.

Living in Arlington isn't cheap, especially for retirees. According to Apartments.com, the city's cost of living is 45.3% higher than the national average, and housing costs are a staggering 134.7% above what most Americans pay. The average monthly rent comes in at $2,400, while typical home prices are around $1.2 million. These prices make Arlington's rental market expensive, particularly for seniors who might be looking to price compare one-bedroom apartments. Even a routine trip to the supermarket can take a bite out of the wallet for retirees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that between March 2024 and March 2025, food prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area rose 2.5%, with notable jumps in meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. 

Similarly, transportation costs can be prohibitive. The Arlington County FY 2025 Adopted Budget increased ART bus fares by 12.5%, bringing the minimum ride from a price of $2.00 to $2.25 for the full year 2025. WMATA also increased fares on Metrorail services in June 2024, with a 12.5% increase in base fares, bringing ride costs to between $2.25 and $6.75. For retirees, these transportation hikes add another layer to Arlington's already high cost of living. According to a May 2025 NerdWallet analysis, the average annual car insurance premium in Arlington is $2,192, slightly above the state average of $2,050. These rising transportation expenses — whether on the road or through public transportation — can put added strain on retirees, especially those relying on fixed incomes.

Arlington retirees with a monthly budget deficit have some practical ways to close the gap. Virginia has some helpful tax policies, for instance that Social Security benefits are exempt from state taxation, and that retirees can deduct as much as $12,000 a year from their retirement income. While these breaks won't erase Arlington's high cost of living, they can help soften the blow. Also, considering alternative retirement investment opportunities and savings options like Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, or even general investment accounts with catch-up contributions can be beneficial.

Community resources are also important. According to the Arlington Community Foundation, the Arlington Neighborhood Village (ANV) program assists older people who prefer to age in their own homes by linking them with more than 300 trained volunteers for transport, errands, household assistance, and social events. The ANV program reported 4,400 fulfilled service requests, with 2,130 rides and 671 errands, during 2024 and has promised even higher levels of outreach for 2025, particularly for low-income seniors. Also, for seniors struggling to afford utility or food costs, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Community Services provides a variety of low-income support programs to households, including housing and utility bill assistance. By combining various resources — retirement accounts, tax credits, public assistance, and community programs — Arlington retirees may be able to get by when Social Security is insufficient on its own.