(NEXSTAR) – It's the dream of many Americans: the hope to one day pay off your mortgage and retire knowing you're financially set, and you can do whatever your heart desires.

Unfortunately, this isn't the typical reality for the majority of U.S. residents due to the rising cost of housing across the entire country.

A new report from Realtor.com now shows that Americans in only ten states can live comfortably on Social Security benefits alone after retirement if they've paid off their mortgage.

To find this, Realtor.com analyzed median Social Security benefits by state and the Elder Economic Security Standard Index, which tracks the basic living cost of older........

© The Hill