In the United States, how much money do you need to spend per month during retirement? A recent cost of living comparison released by the American financial website Investopedia on Sunday, October 18, identified 10 areas with lower housing, food, and transportation expenses. Among them, in a county in Pennsylvania, the total monthly expenditure for these three categories is approximately $2,372, making it the lowest on the list.
The comparison revealed that while housing costs in some areas can be relatively low, at just over $500 per month, transportation expenses may exceed $1,000, becoming a significant expenditure in retirement life.
Cambria County in Pennsylvania ranks at the lowest on the list with a total monthly expenditure of around $2,372 for housing, food, and transportation, including cities like Johnstown.
Guadalupe County in New Mexico closely follows with monthly expenses of about $2,394, with the median housing cost at only $516.
Adams County in Mississippi has monthly expenses of around $2,415, including $657 for housing, $577 for food, and $1,181 for transportation. Transportation costs nearly half of the total expenditure, higher than housing or food expenses.
Danville City in Virginia has a monthly expenditure of around $2,420, with transportation costs accounting for approximately $1,058.
Among the other selected areas, Choctaw County in Oklahoma has monthly expenses of around $2,480, Butler County in Missouri about $2,482, and Ware County in Georgia around $2,490.
Ohio County in West Virginia has a monthly expenditure of approximately $2,557, Maverick County in Texas around $2,638, and La Paz County in Arizona about $2,841.
However, these figures do not represent all expenses during retirement. Investopedia’s comparison only covers housing, food, and transportation, excluding costs for health insurance, long-term care, and other daily expenses. State tax policies also vary, so the actual retirement costs still depend on individual circumstances.