13 Florida Panhandle Towns Where You Can Live on Nothing but Social Security

Have you dreamed of moving to Florida, but you worried that you couldn't afford it? The truth is that the Panhandle area has plenty of places where you can plan your retirement and get by, or even thrive, on Social Security.

The average Social Security beneficiary receives about $2,000 per month. A two-person household, therefore, needs a place where they can live comfortably on $4,000 a month.

We put together the following list to help you focus on Florida Panhandle towns where you can feasibly live on that amount. Which one will you choose?

Editor's note: All real estate prices come from Zillow.

Average rent: $1,500

Median home sale price: $174,277

Quincy is inland, so it's not the best place for water lovers. It's heavenly for anyone who prefers places like Apalachicola National Forest or Main Street attractions like twilight concerts and historic walking tours.

Plus, Quincy has a highly affordable cost of living. According to Best Places, you only need about $3,000 a month.

Average rent: $1,200

Median home sale price: $189,832

If you want to spend your retirement exploring caverns (an excellent way to escape the summer heat), kayaking down the river, and attending cultural events, Marianna is the place for you.

Its cost of living is 25.2% lower than Florida's average. One person can live there on $2,233 a month, and whole families spend just $2,760 per month. This is an easy choice for many retirees.

Average rent: $975

Median home sale price: $197,823

If taking in the fresh air year-round sounds like a dream, Madison's 12-mile Four Freedoms Trail and town center park deliver just that. Madison's cost of living is 23.9% lower than Florida's average and 21.5% lower than the national average. It will cost an individual about $2,500 per month to live there.

The costs are even more favorable for multi-person households, which can expect to spend approximately $2,700 per month.

Average rent: $1,350

Median home sale price: $212,614

Springfield is a Panama City suburb. Choosing to live in Springfield means you get to take advantage of Panama City's amenities at a lower price. The annual Sliding Into Summer event drums up old-fashioned fun and brings the town together to kick off the season.

The typical family in Springfield spends $3,120 a month, so a retired individual or couple should find it affordable, even with just their Social Security benefits.

Average rent: $1,600

Median home sale price: $233,481

DeFuniak Springs is a small town with abundant access to fishing, boating, and lazing on beaches, plus one (of only two worldwide) perfectly round spring-fed lakes.

It's a little more expensive than other affordable towns in the Panhandle; most families need $3,480 a month to live there. But you can pull that off with the right budget.

Average rent: $1,720

Median home sale price: $263,380

Pensacola's temperate climate, outdoor activities, and cultural events make it a popular destination for retirees and tourists alike.

The city also has an impressively low cost of living (13.7% lower than Florida's average). The average household spends about $3,840 a month, while individuals need about $3,200 a month.

Average rent: $1,950

Median home sale price: $266,800

A suburb of Panama City, Callaway offers an even lower cost of living that makes it attractive to retirees. The typical family needs $3,780 per month to live in Callaway. The town boasts an Arts and Conference Center, an 80-acre Recreational Center, and six local parks.

One or two people should find it quite easy to enjoy the area with nothing more than Social Security benefits.

Average rent: $1,900

Median home sale price: $282,859

Don't mistake this Emerald Coast city for the popular Spring Break destination. Panama City has residential and industrial areas that attract working people and retirees, not college students, and a vibrant cultural focus.

The average family needs $4,050 a month to live in Panama City, making it 7.5% cheaper than Florida's average cost of living.

Average rent: $2,000

Median home sale price: $283,342

Milton has about 9,000 residents and a low crime rate, making its appeal obvious. Nature lovers will gravitate toward the local preserve, which protects one of Florida's last remaining tracts of wet prairie.

Milton isn't the cheapest spot in the Florida Panhandle, but you can still afford it on Social Security with the right planning. Individuals typically spend $3,167 a month, and households spend $4,230 per month in Milton.

Average rent: $1,519

Median home sale price: $294,304

Tallahassee, the Sunshine State's capital, is a surprisingly affordable place for residents. It also offers a rich historical and cultural view of the area, with more than 50 locations to explore.

Tallahassee has a cost of living 11.5% lower than Florida's average, so a couple can enjoy living here on Social Security without stressing about money. Expect to spend less than $4,000 per month.

Average rent: $1,750

Media home sale price: $296,832

Crawfordville's cost of living is 9.9% lower than Florida's average. Still, it's a bit more expensive than many of the cities and towns on this list, but it offers a close-knit, small-town feel with historic ties.

If you can afford at least $3,200 a month, you can live comfortably in Crawfordville. A family would need about $4,400 monthly.

Average rent: $1,900

Median home sale price: $341,653

Few Panhandle cities offer the same level of environmental diversity as Valparaiso. When you live there, you can enjoy lush forests just as easily as white sand beaches.

You will pay a slightly higher price to live in Valparaiso, though. Expect to spend at least $4,033 per month. Still, many retirees have Social Security benefits that make the area affordable.

Average rent: $2,450

Median home sale price: $438,254

Niceville is an aptly named town with a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a particularly pleasant place to spend your time.

You will have to budget carefully to live in Niceville. A single person typically spends $4,233 a month to live there. Could you make your benefits stretch that far?

Did you know that Florida doesn't charge state income taxes? That could help you stretch your retirement dollars further.

The Florida Panhandle is a wonderful place for retirees who enjoy year-round warm weather and outdoor activities. It's been called one of Florida's best-kept secrets, and we can see why: with 10 aquatic preserves, 36 state parks, and 234,000 acres of bird-habitat reserves, it could be your golden years paradise.