How Much Social Security Pays in Your State — See the Average Check

Core Insights - Approximately 69 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, totaling $1.6 trillion, primarily benefiting retirees based on their work history and age at claim [2] - The average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers in 2024 is $1,975, with significant state-level variations [2] State Variations in Benefits - Connecticut has the highest average monthly Social Security benefit at $2,196, while Mississippi has the lowest at $1,814 [8][12] - States with higher benefits often have above-average household incomes and costs of living, making retirement challenging despite higher checks [3][9] - Notable states with high costs of living but lower benefits include New York ($2,018) and California ($1,935) [5] Cost of Living Considerations - In Connecticut, the average rent is $2,119, which is $376 above the national average, consuming nearly the entire average Social Security benefit [4] - In contrast, Mississippi's average rent is $1,305, about $438 below the national average, allowing Social Security checks to stretch further [11]