Social Security payments are an essential source of income for millions of retired Americans, but the benefit amounts vary across the US due to a mix of individual work history, local economic factors, and adjustments like the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
Social Security benefits in 2024
The median monthly Social Security benefit differs from state to state. In 2024, the US average Social Security check for retired workers stood at around $1,853. However, payments range from as low as $1,673 in Mississippi to as high as $2,100 in New Jersey. The stark difference in median payments highlights the geographic disparity in benefits, even though Social Security benefits are technically calculated without regard to location. Instead, the formula primarily considers a worker’s average lifetime earnings and their age when they start claiming benefits.
Why some states receive higher Social Security payments
The variation in benefits largely comes down to historical income differences between states. Since Social Security payouts are based on a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, states with historically higher wages often see higher median Social Security benefits. For instance, states with high median incomes, such as New Jersey and Connecticut, tend to have higher Social Security payouts. New Jersey retirees, for example, receive a median of $2,100, while residents in states with lower historical incomes, such as Mississippi and Louisiana, see median benefits of $1,673 and $1,674, respectively.
In addition to income levels, retirement age and cost of living play a role. For example, Washington D.C., despite high median incomes, reports a median Social Security benefit at the lower end of the spectrum. Experts speculate this may be due to the area’s high living costs, which could lead retirees with higher Social Security income to relocate, reducing the median payment for those who remain.
The role of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
Social Security recipients across all states benefit from COLAs, designed to keep up with inflation. In 2024, a 3.2% COLA was applied, resulting in an increase in the average monthly benefit by roughly $58. This increase is distributed uniformly, but the impact varies based on each state’s average living costs. In high-cost areas, even with a COLA increase, retirees might feel more financial strain compared to those in lower-cost regions.
The average (median) Social Security benefit in all 50 states
State Median-Monthly Social Security Benefit
Alabama. $1,794
Alaska. $1,733
Arizona. $1,913
Arkansas. $1,717
California. $1,767
Colorado. $1,898
Connecticut. $2,084
Delaware. $2,064
Florida. $1,839
Georgia. $1,789
Hawaii. $1,854
Idaho. $1,829
Illinois. $1,908
Indiana. $1,953
Iowa. $1,884
Kansas. $1,930
Kentucky. $1,748
Louisiana. $1,674
Maine. $1,741
Maryland. $2,008
Massachusetts $1,946
Michigan. $2,005
Minnesota. $1,982
Mississippi. $1,673
Missouri. $1,823
Montana. $1,751
Nebraska. $1,880
Nevada. $1,785
New Hampshire. $2,039
New Jersey. $2,100
New Mexico. $1,696
New York. $1,914
North Carolina. $1,832
North Dakota. $1,795
Ohio. $1,854
Oklahoma. $1,795
Oregon. $1,867
Pennsylvania. $1,946
Rhode Island. $1,923
South Carolina. $1,865
South Dakota. $1,780
Tennessee. $1,822
Texas. $1,776
Utah. $1,939
Vermont. $1,883
Virginia. $1,906
Washington D.C. $1,992
West Virginia. $1,807
Wisconsin. $1,932
Wyoming. $1,908
United States (All 50 States). $1,853
States with the highest and lowest Social Security benefits
States like New Jersey ($2,100) and Connecticut ($2,084) top the list of Social Security benefits, often due to their higher median incomes and historical wage levels. On the other end, Mississippi ($1,673) and Louisiana ($1,674) have the lowest average benefits, reflecting lower wages in these areas historically.
