Best Cities for Retirees in Arizona
Arizona ranks #37 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 54.6. Scottsdale is its best city for retirees at 64.5.
- Arizona, all states
- #37 of 50
- Population
- 243,821
What Retirees Should Know About Arizona
At #37 out of 50, Arizona isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in safety, and retirees with specific priorities (safety, established communities) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Arizona's health score of 50/100 is middling — life expectancy of 76.7 years is roughly in line with national norms, but healthcare quality varies by region. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 8.22% of income. The 2.5% income tax rate is relatively modest. Property taxes run 0.56% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
At $417,990, the typical home is worth more than the 50-state average — retirees relocating from lower-cost areas may face sticker shock. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 63/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 23 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Scottsdale | B+ | 64.5 | 61.0 | 79 | 75 | 38 | 243,821 |
| 2Catalina Foothills | B+ | 63.6 | 62.9 | 80 | 82 | 55 | 52,593 |
| 3Gilbert | A | 63.3 | 63.8 | 75 | 84 | 46 | 280,262 |
| 4Queen Creek | A | 63.0 | 66.2 | 71 | 95 | 42 | 71,867 |
| 5Marana | A | 62.3 | 65.9 | 71 | 80 | 60 | 56,938 |
| 6Chandler | B+ | 62.1 | 61.0 | 73 | 73 | 51 | 280,136 |
| 7Goodyear | B+ | 59.0 | 60.2 | 67 | 76 | 52 | 107,645 |
| 8Peoria | B | 59.0 | 58.2 | 67 | 66 | 54 | 196,906 |
| 9Surprise | B+ | 58.8 | 60.2 | 67 | 67 | 53 | 154,948 |
| 10Lake Havasu City | C+ | 58.1 | 53.0 | 60 | 45 | 66 | 58,359 |
| 11Casas Adobes | C+ | 56.2 | 53.6 | 69 | 65 | 65 | 72,059 |
| 12Mesa | C+ | 55.7 | 54.7 | 64 | 57 | 59 | 511,764 |
| 13Buckeye | B | 54.7 | 58.4 | 60 | 69 | 54 | 104,923 |
| 14Tempe | B | 53.8 | 57.4 | 73 | 46 | 56 | 188,065 |
| 15Maricopa | C+ | 53.1 | 52.6 | 49 | 69 | 56 | 67,163 |
| 16Avondale | C+ | 51.4 | 55.6 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 92,477 |
| 17Phoenix | C | 50.3 | 51.3 | 60 | 50 | 59 | 1,642,323 |
| 18Glendale | C | 49.8 | 52.1 | 56 | 44 | 61 | 252,833 |
| 19Flagstaff | C+ | 49.6 | 53.3 | 73 | 38 | 54 | 76,445 |
| 20Yuma | D | 49.1 | 46.1 | 48 | 40 | 79 | 100,139 |
| 21Tucson | C | 48.5 | 50.0 | 52 | 30 | 75 | 547,073 |
| 22San Tan Valley | D | 48.5 | 45.8 | 53 | 68 | 53 | 109,189 |
| 23Casa Grande | D | 47.8 | 48.5 | 42 | 46 | 66 | 60,905 |
City retirees scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Arizona for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arizona a good state for retirees?
Arizona ranks #37 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 54.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (63/100) and its weakest is Livability (24/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Arizona?
Scottsdale ranks #1 in Arizona for retirees with a score of 64.5/100, followed by Catalina Foothills and Gilbert.
What factors are most important for retirees in Arizona?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.