8 New England Towns Where You Can Retire on Nothing but Social Security

Rising housing costs in New England may make it feel like retiring here is only a possibility for the wealthy. The average monthly Social Security benefit for couples is around $3,700, so the key to finding a place to live is locating towns where housing costs are low enough to leave room for utilities and other necessities.

Here are eight locations throughout New England that are worth considering if you want to stretch your retirement dollars further.

Editor's note: All average rent prices are provided by Apartments.com, all home prices are provided by Zillow.com, and all cost-of-living estimates are provided by BestPlaces.net, unless otherwise noted.

Average rent: $759

Average home value: $296,492

Lewiston is the second-largest city in the state. Several parks, including Dufresne Plaza and Veterans Memorial, offer walking paths, seating, and green space. Downtown, you'll find plenty of shops, breweries, and restaurants to explore. The city is also home to the Central Maine Medical Center, offering excellent health care to residents.

Aside from affordable housing, Lewiston has a cost of living that's around 9% lower than the national average.

Average rent: $946

Average home value: $296,031

Just south of Augusta, Gardiner offers a cost of living that's 11% lower than most cities in the country, allowing for affordable health care costs, transportation, utilities, and groceries.

Walking through Gardiner's historic downtown is like taking a step back in time. It also sits on the banks of the Kennebec River, offering access to a huge trail system that's perfect for walking and biking.

Average rent: $716

Average home value: $364,335

Littleton is best known for having one of the best main streets in the country. With its beautiful parks, like Bumblebee Park, Littleton is ideal for active retirees who love the outdoors. The award-winning Littleton Regional Healthcare hospital provides excellent local medical services.

Housing costs in Littleton are extremely affordable. The cost of living may be 2% higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes, but it is offset by the lack of both state income tax on Social Security benefits and state sales taxes.

Average rent: $1,292

Average home value: $364,944

Saint Albans is a historic, walkable city with antique shops, local restaurants, and plenty of hiking and biking trails along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. The Northwestern Medical Center provides residents with comprehensive health care services. This city is ideal for retirees who want a slower pace of life.

The cost of living is about 2% lower than both the national average and the state average, meaning monthly necessities, such as utilities and groceries, cost slightly less than in other nearby locations.

Average rent: $1,064

Average home value: $305,779

Pittsfield is the largest city in the Berkshires. In addition to low rental costs, monthly necessities in the city cost around 4% less than the U.S. average and 25% less than the state average.

Pittsfield offers plenty of cultural opportunities, including productions from the Barrington Stage Company and concerts at the nearby Tanglewood music venue. The city is also home to the Berkshire Medical Center, a highly rated hospital in the area.

Average rent: $1,061

Average home value: $329,900

Greenfield, a small city in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, offers a walkable Main Street with shops, historic architecture, and local eateries. Retirees who enjoy the outdoors have plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and other recreational activities at Green River Park and Highland Park.

Retirees will find the area affordable, with the average rent just under $1,100 and the cost of living 6% lower than the national average. Monthly living costs in Greenfield are also around 26% less than the state average.

Average rent: $1,117

Average home value: $287,212

Torrington lies in the Litchfield Hills area in the northwest part of the state. Retirees will find plenty to do at the Warner Theatre downtown, which hosts a variety of plays and concerts throughout the year.

Those who enjoy the outdoors can go hiking in Burr Pond State Park or camping in John A. Minetto State Park. There are also several museums and antique markets, and many health care options are less than an hour's drive away.

Average rent: $1,242

Average home value: $382,618

Located in northeast Rhode Island, Woonsocket is just a short drive from Boston and Providence, which both offer comprehensive health care and city amenities. The adjacent Blackstone River offers fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Downtown, retirees can take in a performance at the Stadium Theatre or explore history at one of the local museums.

Rent is slightly higher than in other locations on this list but still is less than $1,300 a month. The cost of living is 3.3% lower than the state average.

From expansive coastlines to historic inland towns, New England offers plenty of picturesque places to retire. While the area is typically viewed as one of the most expensive in the country, there are locations with low housing and living costs for retirees. These eight towns are just the start.

When researching a place to live, be sure to investigate state-level programs designed to help seniors maximize retirement savings. Some New England states, such as Connecticut, offer circuit breaker programs that provide individuals age 65 and older on a budget with property tax reductions and rent rebates.