Retirees Can Live On Social Security Alone In A Charming Texas City With A Historic Downtown
Per the Social Security Administration, the average monthly Social Security benefit, as of January 2025, is $1,976 per month, but you can raise this amount to $4,018 by waiting until your full retirement age. That's one of several reasons to think about delaying your retirement. Another consideration is retiring somewhere your Social Security check can and will take you further, like Beaumont, TX. Close to the border of Louisiana, and sitting along the Neches River, Beaumont a great option for retirees who enjoy fishing, boating, and the ability to live off of their Social Security. Its proximity to Houston — just 90 minutes away — offers prime healthcare and the amenities of a big city without the cost of living in one.
According to an April 2025 study by Northwestern Mutual, Americans believe the magic amount needed for retirement in 2025 is just under $1.26 million, or about $200,000 less than last year's estimate of $1.46 million. While this could be viewed as positive news, one in four Americans also say they have one year or less of their annual income saved for retirement. From a generational standpoint, things get even dicier. Over half of Gen Xers — as high as 52% — have as little as three times their current annual income, or less, saved for retirement. Meanwhile 51% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials have little to no confidence in their ability to outlive their savings. This makes sense for why the majority of Americans are worried their retirement funds will run out.
The median rent and mortgage is cheaper than the national median
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, over 15% of Beaumont's population of 112,893 residents are 65 years of age or older. The median household income in Beaumont, at $57,530, is roughly $20,000 less than the state of Texas' $76,292. However, the cost of housing makes it very possible to live on that amount in Beaumont. As per the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median sale price of homes in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025 was $416,900. Meanwhile, the Q1 2025 median sale price of homes in the Southern U.S. Census region was $376,000. While there are definitely cities in Texas where buying a home will cost you, Beaumont isn't one of them.
The median sale price of homes in Beaumont, as per Realtor.com, is just over $230,000, with homes in the most expensive part of Beaumont — Willow Creek — costing around $362,500. This shows that even the most expensive homes in Beaumont are still cheaper than the national and regional median averages. The Census Bureau places the average monthly mortgage payment in Beaumont at $1,671 per month. As per Zillow, the average rental price in the U.S., as of May 2025, is $2,100 per month while, in Beaumont, the average rent is $1,100 per month for the same period. That's 47.6% lower than the national average, and beats the average rental price for the state of Texas — $1,900.
A lower cost of living and senior's discounts are a bonus for retirees
According to Payscale, the average cost of living is a major reason why Beaumont is one of few U.S. cities retirees can live on Social Security alone. Not only is the cost of housing 22% lower than the national average, but groceries costs 2% lower than the national average. Meanwhile transportation costs — gas and public transit — fall 7% lower than the U.S. average. While the cost of utilities in Beaumont are 5% higher than the national average, an average energy and phone bill, around $210 and $203 per month respectively, shouldn't leave your cash strapped. Meanwhile, healthcare costs range from around $115 for a visit to the dentist to $244 in prescription costs. While these drug costs may sound like a lot, consider that there are ways to get discounts on your prescriptions that you can also take advantage of.
Speaking of discounts, Beaumont offers discounts and free programs for senior citizens in a number of different ways. The Sterling Pruitt Activity Center offers retirees free Zumba classes and access to the exercise room at special designated times. Seniors are also eligible for a discount on their utilities — with water, garbage and sewage included in a three-in-one discount. As an added bonus, the Solid Waste Department offer garbage pick-up assistance for seniors — meaning they will pick up your trash from your home and carry it to the curb, and back, after emptying the bin.
These tax breaks make life more affordable for retirees
Looking at property taxes in Beaumont is a lesson in how numbers are relative. For instance, the median tax rate in Beaumont, as of March 2025, according to Ownwell, is 2.18%. This is actually a higher property tax rate than the national median of 1.02%, however, it's lower than the state median of 1.67%. You also need to take into consideration the lower home prices in Beaumont in comparison to the national median sales price. So while property taxes are higher, that tax is being applied to homes that are more than $100,000 lower in price than the national median. Per Ownwell's calculations, the median annual tax bill on a median $230,000 home in Beaumont is $5,014, or $417.83 per month. You can also take advantage of the state's homestead exemption, which allows anyone 65 years old to reduce the taxable appraised value of their principal residence by $10,000, on top of the $25,000 exemption offered to other Texans.
Other tax breaks for retirees can ease the pain of property taxes since Texas is one of a few states that exempt Social Security income. Also, other retirement income — 401(k), pensions, or an IRA — are free from state taxes. You can even pick up a side hustle in your retirement and Texas won't tax that employment income.