With a warm climate, a relatively low cost of living, and a variety of tax benefits, the state offers an attractive combination of financial and lifestyle advantages. Arizona has become an increasingly attractive option for retirees, as nearly 19% of its population is 65 or older, above the national average. Retirees are also attracted to Arizona's active adult communities and access to year-round outdoor recreational activities, as well as the availability of Home Care near Saint Ansgar IA. However, it's important to weigh potential drawbacks, such as extreme summer heat, problems with the water supply, and higher energy costs during seasons tall. Arizona favors retirees when it comes to Social Security benefits and estate and estate taxes; with none of this at stake, you can pocket extra money and leave more to your heirs. With a warm climate, a relatively low cost of living, and a variety of tax benefits, the state offers an attractive combination of financial and lifestyle advantages. Arizona has become an increasingly attractive option for retirees, as nearly 19% of its population is 65 or older, above the national average. Retirees are also attracted to Arizona's active adult communities and access to year-round outdoor recreational activities, as well as the availability of Home Care near Saint Ansgar IA. However, it's important to weigh potential drawbacks, such as extreme summer heat, problems with the water supply, and higher energy costs during seasons tall. Arizona favors retirees when it comes to Social Security benefits and estate and estate taxes; with none of this at stake, you can pocket extra money and leave more to your heirs.
However, the Grand Canyon state does charge state income taxes, as well as taxes on most retirement sources, such as 401 (k) s and IRAs, hence its status as a “moderately tax-friendly” state. To offset some of this loss in revenue, Arizona enacted a high sales tax rate, which is the eleventh highest overall, with a combined average of state and local sales taxes of 8.52% (Florida is slightly lower, at 7.02%). In addition, the state offers property tax relief programs to help seniors. This includes the Senior Property Valuation Protection Options (SPVF) program, an initiative that freezes the property valuation of residential homeowners over 65 who meet specific criteria (such as income limits and primary residence) for a 3-year period and is available for renewal thereafter.
Arizona is home to more than 1.4 million people age 65 and older, representing more than 19% of the state's population, according to a study in the Journal of Consumer Affairs. A big advantage of this is the additional opportunities to socialize, which facilitates the transition after work and is linked to higher levels of happiness and longevity. The most common categories of consumer fraud were identity theft (16%), those related to credit reporting agencies (16%) and fraud involving impostors (14%). The main type of identity theft was credit card fraud (39% of incidents).
Arizona's warm temperatures also pose a moderate challenge when it comes to insects and other unwanted household invaders. In fact, the state is located in one of the country's most active underground termite belts, so homeowners are particularly susceptible to termite damage (according to Action Termite & Pest). Whether or not you're averse to bugs, you may need to budget for more pest control services to keep them away (depending on where you live).Unlike Florida and North Carolina, Arizona generally doesn't offer free classes for seniors, although some colleges and universities have tuition discounts. For example, both the state of Arizona and the University of Arizona partner with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning to offer non-credit classes to adults over 50 (membership costs are affordable).
Arizona is a popular retirement destination for many Americans looking for a warm climate, outdoor activities and a lower cost of living compared to some states, such as neighboring California. Is Arizona a good place for retirees? Yes, in general, there are many advantages to retiring in Arizona. There are no Social Security income taxes, there are lots of sunny days, and you'll find lots of other seniors living around you, so making new friends and creating a sense of community shouldn't be difficult. Of course, just like in Arizona, the sun doesn't shine every day.
To see some of the disadvantages of choosing to retire in Arizona, skip to our section on the pros and cons of retiring in Arizona. Arizona is a popular retirement destination for retirees thanks to its warm climate, favorable tax benefits, affordable cost of living, and access to healthcare. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from desert views to mountain retreats, the state offers a variety of environments that adapt to different lifestyles. The country's first active adult retirement community emerged in Youngtown, Arizona, in 1954, and since then, many retirees have settled in Arizona year-round.
In fact, nearly 22% of the state's nearly 8 million residents are 65 or older. Arizona retirees have plenty of options, with more than 100,000 homes in more than 55 communities spread across the globe. the state. One of the most popular is Sun City in Sun City, Arizona, an age-restricted retirement community for people age 55 and older.
It offers seven recreational centers, one of the highest golf hole rates per capita of all active adult communities in the country, indoor and outdoor pools, clubs, restaurants, craft and fitness centers, as well as 30 churches, a synagogue, two libraries, a performing arts center, two hospitals and more. In 2024, Arizona was one of the main states to which people over 60 moved, according to Smart Asset, with a net influx of 23,515 people. And Arizona's population continues to grow and, according to Macrotrends, will increase by 1.46% in 2024. Current estimates place the population over 65 at 1.35 million, according to a study conducted by Neilsberg in 2025. But maybe you've never really experienced it. Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops rapidly.
Annual rainfall ranges from 3 inches in the arid southwest to about 40 inches in the mountains of east-central Arizona, according to the climate office at Arizona State University. For example, the temperature in Lake Havasu City averages a high of 109°F in July and a low of 42°F in December and January. Real estate agent Patty Caperon, an affiliate of the Coldwell Banker residential brokerage office in Lake Havasu, describes it as a “very quiet and relaxing city, whether for dining with canal views, spending a night at the Grace Arts Live Theater or hanging out with friends.” Baseball fans can enjoy Major League Baseball's relaxing “cactus league” atmosphere during Arizona spring training for 15 teams in cities such as Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Goodyear and others. In addition, golfers can play golf on more than 300 courses spread all over the state. In the town of Gilbert, near Mesa, some residents are organizing to stop the growth of apartment complexes.
The bumper stickers say No more apartments, we are a town, not a city. In addition, the former 500-acre GMO testing ground in Mesa has been converted into Eastmark, a planned retirement community with more than 1500 adult and luxury homes. Arizona's state sales tax is 5.6%. However, because localities can add their own sales taxes, you could pay much more in sales taxes depending on where you land (and buy) within the state.
Arizona's average local sales tax rate is approximately 2.7%, and the combined average (state and local) Arizona sales tax rate exceeds 8.38%. Burwell comments: “The only damage this causes is those related to live television, mainly sports. In September and October, NFL games start at 10 in the morning. The sports bars open at 9 and serve breakfast.
Therefore, I don't go to sleep before the World Series or Monday Night Football games are over. Use your 2024 tax refund to boost your short- or long-term financial goals by placing you in one of these six places. Places to Live Here are our retirement options in the 12 Midwestern states. Places to live Some like the heat; others, not so much.
Here are the 12 best places to retire if you can't handle the heat. Consider buying a pass for people over 62 for national parks and federal recreational land (valid for access to all 108 National Park Service sites that charge admission; most of the 422 NPS sites are free). Health care is a top priority for retirees, and Arizona offers strong options, especially in and around major cities. Retirees also benefit from a growing network of senior-friendly communities, quality healthcare facilities, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, from morning walks in the desert to afternoons on the golf course.
The opinions expressed and the materials provided are general information and should not be considered a request for the purchase or sale of any security. Arizona also has a good number of smaller cities with a quieter, community-centered lifestyle for those retirees looking for a slower pace. While Arizona doesn't offer as broad an exemption for family housing as in states like Florida, its combination of lower property taxes, no taxes on Social Security benefits, and diverse housing options can create a strong foundation for an affordable retirement, especially for those who want to explore areas beyond cities with high demand. When you decide to retire in Arizona, you'll be in good company, as people over 65 make up 19.3 percent of the population, and Arizona is ranked 12th for having the highest number of seniors in the U.S.
UU. For other retirement accounts and pension withdrawals, the state applies a 2.5% fixed-rate tax and a 2.5% capital gains tax for long-term investments (which generally means they are held for a year or more). For retirees, this may not be an immediate deciding factor, but it's something you should control if you're planning a decades-long stay. With an average age of 71.2 years, Quartzsite offers a welcoming and diverse environment for older people retiring in Arizona.
Older people enjoy retiring in Arizona because of its climate, of course, but also because of its rich art scene and unique outdoor landscapes. Choosing Arizona for retirement means balancing financial benefits with lifestyle considerations, from climate and taxes to health care and housing. For retirees who enjoy the outdoors, these high temperatures can limit daily activities for several months of the year. The Arizona Department of Economic Security has many programs for older adults and their families to support the health care needs of older people, such as aging at home and long-term care support.
