Social Security's COLA Increase is The Same For All States, but Can Buy 27% More in Mississippi Than California

The same amount of money has approximately 27% more purchasing power in Mississippi than in California and 24% more than in New York. (Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Millions of Americans receiving Social Security benefits are getting a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027, but the purchasing power of that increase will depend heavily on where they live.

For the average retired worker, the adjustment translates into approximately $75 more per month, or $900 annually. Yet that additional money can stretch considerably further in Mississippi than in California or New York, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).