Arizona is a haven for retirees. People love its year round pleasant weather, including almost nonexistent humidity, iconic Southwestern scenery and safe cities. Arizona has something for everyone, no matter how you want to spend your retirement.
If you think Arizona sounds like a great destination for your dream retirement, you’re absolutely right! The state offers wide range of choices for retirees, with thriving cities and beautiful scenery. NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the top five cities to retire in Arizona.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Arizona
1. Eloy
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.1%
Median Home Value: $83,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 352
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Retirees looking to live large, while living affordably, will love retiring to Eloy. This gem of a town in the Casa Grande Mountains lets you enjoy Arizona’s striking natural beauty, and shockingly low humidity in a peaceful and private community.
2. Coolidge
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.2%
Median Home Value: $92,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 37
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 434
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
If you’re looking for a sublime desert retreat for your retirement, you can’t go wrong starting your new life in Coolidge. This beautiful town gives active adults easy access to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, and the Picacho Reservoir, making it easy for you to stay healthy and active in your golden years.
3. Douglas
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.1%
Median Home Value: $94,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 36
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 286
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 0
Douglas is a charmingly historic city in Arizona, perfect for retirees who love architecture and low humidity. When you aren’t exploring local historic buildings, you can explore the great outdoors at the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge or the Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge.
4. Apache Junction
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 31.9%
Median Home Value: $97,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 775
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 10
Couch potatoes might not like life in Apache Junction. This beautiful city offers active adults the very best that Arizona’s wealth of natural beauty has to offer. If you’re ready to spend your retirement hiking sublim mountain trails, wandering through saguaros, and watching some of the most beautiful sunsets, back your bags and head over to Apache Junction.
5. San Luis
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 7.2%
Median Home Value: $115,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 8
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 472
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
San Luis is a beautiful town along the Rio Grande, just outside of Yuma, Arizona. Nature lovers can spend their days at the lush Lake Martinez Recreation Area, and enjoy camping and long, lazy days on the water. If you want to see nature a little closer to home, the Yuma conservation garden has plenty of boardwalks for your walk on the wild side.
6. Somerton
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 7.1%
Median Home Value: $119,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 19
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 218
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Not everyone wants to spend their days battling the crowds thronging Florida’s beaches. For a retirement that doesn’t include insane humidity, uninvited alligators, and hurricanes, head over to Somerton, AZ. This thriving town in the Yuma Area offers active adults a serene desert retreat and a warm and welcoming community to spend their golden years in.
7. Nogales
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16%
Median Home Value: $119,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 41
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 610
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 0
Nogales is a thriving suburb of the Tuscon Area that truly has something for everyone. Even the most active adults will love exploring everything this vibrant community has to offer. Nature lovers have the Las Lagunas De Anza Wetlands to hike through. History buffs should check out the Mission Los Santos Angeles de Guevavi and the Pimeria Alta Historical Society.
8. Bullhead City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 28.7%
Median Home Value: $121,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 157
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,464
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Waterfront living doesn’t get any better than life in Bullhead City, on the banks of the Colorado living. Aside from traditional types of riparian entertainment, like picnicking and boating, Bullhead City has a charming riverwalk lined with fun restaurants.
9. Yuma
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.7%
Median Home Value: $134,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 491
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,069
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Yuma is a thriving metropolitan area in Arizona that has something for all types of retirees. Yuma has a charmingly historic downtown, perfect for history lovers and anyone who likes going out to fun places. It’s lush setting among the wetlands along the Colorado River make it a great spot for nature lovers to live.
10. Kingman
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 24%
Median Home Value: $138,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 124
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,168
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Kingman is a funky town on Route 66, and a great place for retirees who aren’t looking to slow down and live life on a BarcaLounger. Beautiful trails through the desert and springs make Kingman a great place for active nature lovers. It’s fun culture includes many historic buildings, a whole lot of train museums, a thriving distillery scene, and art museums.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city.
Common Questions About Retiring in Arizona
Arizona is a great state for retirees! Its fabulous weather and scenery are perfect for active adults that want to get out and enjoy nature. You can live an exciting, and often allergy free, life when you spend your golden years in Arizona.
To retire comfortably in Arizona you should have about $1.2 million in savings, slightly higher than national average, but in line with other hot retirement destinations life Florida.
Arizona is a tax friendly state for retiree. Social security benefits are not taxed and income from pensions are eligible for deductions. Income from a 401(k) is taxed though.
Arizona is a more affordable state for retirees than Florida. It offers people more affordable housing, lower property taxes, and lower home prices.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Eloy | 10.1% | 81 | 352 | 1 | $83,100 |
| Coolidge | 12.2% | 37 | 434 | 2 | $92,500 |
| Douglas | 10.1% | 36 | 286 | 0 | $94,500 |
| Apache Junction | 31.9% | 81 | 775 | 10 | $97,400 |
| San Luis | 7.2% | 8 | 472 | 1 | $115,500 |
| Somerton | 7.1% | 19 | 218 | 1 | $119,400 |
| Nogales | 16% | 41 | 610 | 0 | $119,800 |
| Bullhead City | 28.7% | 157 | 1,464 | 2 | $121,700 |
| Yuma | 14.7% | 491 | 2,069 | 1 | $134,100 |
| Kingman | 24% | 124 | 1,168 | 1 | $138,800 |
| Florence | 16% | 34 | 128 | 1 | $142,600 |
| Casa Grande | 18.9% | 347 | 1,481 | 1 | $142,500 |
| Show Low | 23.1% | 59 | 427 | 1 | $150,700 |
| El Mirage | 8% | 77 | 933 | 17 | $151,500 |
| Cottonwood | 27.2% | 37 | 155 | 1 | $159,600 |
| Tucson | 13.9% | 3,984 | 27,296 | 7 | $146,500 |
| Sierra Vista | 17.8% | 104 | 1,121 | 1 | $175,100 |
| Camp Verde | 21.3% | 31 | 212 | 1 | $185,300 |
| Maricopa | 12.5% | 93 | 491 | 1 | $185,600 |
| Chino Valley | 23.2% | 42 | 179 | 1 | $190,700 |
| Avondale | 8% | 286 | 2,739 | 16 | $196,000 |
| Buckeye | 11% | 125 | 1,348 | 2 | $196,800 |
| Sahuarita | 19.6% | 38 | 348 | 5 | $200,700 |
| Glendale | 11.3% | 1,167 | 10,186 | 23 | $197,600 |
| Prescott Valley | 26.1% | 68 | 779 | 2 | $210,500 |
| Mesa | 16.1% | 1,837 | 10,024 | 26 | $209,700 |
| Payson | 36.60% | 63 | 403 | 0 | $221,700 |
| Surprise | 22.2% | 165 | 2,103 | 11 | $225,200 |
| Lake Havasu City | 31.7% | 99 | 859 | 1 | $235,900 |
| Marana | 19.8% | 33 | 1,076 | 3 | $242,300 |
| Phoenix | 10.3% | 12,110 | 57,732 | 25 | $217,400 |
| Peoria | 16.2% | 388 | 3,241 | 22 | $255,800 |
| Tempe | 10% | 942 | 8,677 | 28 | $255,800 |
| Goodyear | 15.6% | 203 | 2,081 | 16 | $274,500 |
| Chandler | 10.3% | 606 | 5,430 | 21 | $285,000 |
| Oro Valley | 32.1% | 17 | 610 | 7 | $297,500 |
| Gilbert | 9.1% | 234 | 3,273 | 20 | $310,400 |
| Flagstaff | 8.3% | 352 | 2,730 | 1 | $323,200 |
| Prescott | 35.6% | 137 | 898 | 1 | $328,000 |
| Queen Creek | 9.2% | 87 | 378 | 12 | $339,400 |
| Fountain Hills | 36.5% | 45 | 244 | 17 | $404,800 |
| Scottsdale | 20.1% | 422 | 5,638 | 29 | $455,900 |
| Sedona | 37.4% | 52 | 72 | 1 | $461,900 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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Ann
You forgot to mention Sierra Vista. With it’s near perfect weather, history (with Tombstone and Bisbee less than 1/2 hour away) and amazing sunrises and sunsets, in my opinion, it can’t be beat. 🙂
Lisa
Thank you Ann!
I am just beginning to look for a place in Arizona.
Mike Romano
Thank you. I am actually looking at Sierra vista and Bisbee