Retirees in these 5 American cities collect the highest Social Security checks in the country — but it’s still not enough to get by

In some cities, though, retirees earn a higher benefit than others. SmartAsset, a financial technology company, analyzed data from 345 U.S. cities and ranked them based on the average Social Security benefits residents receive. Here’s where retirees are getting the biggest benefits.

Where Social Security income is the highest

Out of 345 metro areas ranked based on mean Social Security benefits, these five cities were identified as the locations where retirees receive the highest Social Security payments.

• Ann Arbor, Michigan: $30,428
• Carmel, Indiana: $30,069
• Goodyear, Arizona: $29,157
• Cambridge, Massachusetts: $28,219
• Allen, Texas: $27,735

Unfortunately, even with benefits checks ranging from $4,851 to $7,544 more than the nationwide average, retirees in these metro areas would still face financial struggles if they tried to rely on just their Social Security to live on.

In fact, MIT's living wage calculator reveals an adult with no children in Ann Arbor would need an income of around $47,334 to cover basic expenses such as housing and health care — about $16,906 more than Social Security provides.

Residents in Carmel, Goodyear, Cambridge, and Allen wouldn't fare much better, with adults without kids requiring $44,773, $51,380, $62,487, and $45,875, respectively. In every case, even in cities where retirees average higher Social Security checks than most, the actual costs of living are well above the income these retirement benefits offer.

Social Security isn't going to be enough

The reality every current and future retiree should come to terms with is this: Social Security benefits are never going to be enough to fund your retirement.