Social Security COLA 2026: These States Will Feel the Biggest Increase

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the 2026 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment), the average retiree will get just over $2,000 per month. But the real impact varies by state because of local inflation, housing, and healthcare costs.

Biggest Winners: Where COLA Goes Further

Retirees in these states will feel the increase the most:

• Florida – Huge retiree growth and rising housing & healthcare costs.

• Arizona – High prescription drug and utility prices.

• Nevada – Surging living costs for seniors.

• Texas – Fast-growing retiree communities face higher expenses.

Local inflation makes the COLA stretch further in these areas.

Smaller Impact States

In states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois, prices haven’t surged as fast.

COLA is still the same, but it won’t feel as significant.

Taxes Matter

Some states tax Social Security (e.g., Colorado, Minnesota, Vermont). Others don’t (e.g., Florida, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota), so retirees there keep the full COLA increase.

Bottom Line

The 2026 Social Security COLA is the same nationwide, but retirees in high-cost, high-inflation states get the most practical benefit.

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