11 Arizona Cities To Retire on a Monthly Budget of $1,200 or Less

If your monthly budget of $1,200 or less isn't getting you very far these days, the issue might not be your income. You might simply be living in the wrong state (or even the wrong city) for your post-retirement financial situation. The best way to maximize your senior benefits may involve relocating to a more affordable town.

And, if you've always hoped to retire to a sunny town with pleasant weather year-round, that may mean skipping the expensive Florida Keys in favor of these more budget-friendly Arizona locales, like one of the 11 cities listed below where retirees can enjoy the splendor of Arizona's sunshine without breaking the bank.

Unless otherwise noted, rental data comes from Apartments.com and is current as of April 2025.

The average rent for a studio apartment in Nogales is just $457, though you'll be looking at closer to $866 per month for a bigger two-bedroom apartment.

Either way, the rent here is staggeringly lower than the U.S. average of over $1,600 a month. Plus, Nogales residents will have no shortage of activities to enjoy, since the nearby Mexican border means this area is the perfect melting pot of delicious food with a fascinating cultural history.

As of April 2025, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Douglas came to just $753 a month. Like Nogales, Douglas is a border town with a rich history. There are plenty of affordable outdoor activities for you to enjoy during the temperate winter months, including the Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges, home to nearly 300 species.

The average one-bedroom apartment in Bullhead City costs $956 a month, which might be a stretch if you're on a fixed budget of just $1,200. However, you'll still have a few hundred dollars left over each month for groceries, utilities, and transportation, all of which cost less in Bullhead City compared to the national average.

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Tucson may be the second-largest city in Arizona, but it's far from the most expensive. The average studio apartment will set you back $814 a month. Thanks to the nearby University of Arizona and the beautiful surrounding high desert, you should have no shortage of cultural activities and outdoor adventures to enjoy in your spare time.

At $954 per month, Yuma's average rent is among the most affordable in the Grand Canyon State. The city's location along the Colorado River puts it in close proximity to several wetlands, where outdoor enthusiasts can spend their days fishing, riding bikes, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll.

In Safford, a one-bedroom apartment totals just $771. And at an average of $1,020 per month, a two-bedroom apartment might even be attainable for extremely frugal retirees who know how to track their budgets to the last penny.

Since Safford is more than 15.3% cheaper than the U.S. average, your dollar will go further not just on rent but on groceries, transportation, and healthcare as well.

Depending on which rental or real estate site you ask, the average rent in Eloy ranges from $497 per month (Apartments.com) to $1,095 (Zumper). And, while Redfin puts the average rent closer to $882, the true cost of an Eloy apartment comes down to the rental you choose.

Since your rental's quality and neighborhood location will impact the price, do your research carefully, and avoid moving into a new apartment in Eloy without touring the location first.

Coolidge's average one-bedroom apartment costs $1,009 per month in rent. The nearby Casa Grande Ruins National Monument can give you a fascinating peek at how the area's earliest residents used to live while the city's many parks provide great opportunities for rest and relaxation.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment costs just $840 per month in Florence, a small town a little over an hour away from Tucson. The city's aquatic center and public library give you access to many low-cost opportunities for entertainment and leisure time.

The average one-bedroom apartment in Somerton costs $442 per month while a three-bedroom costs $800, or less than double the price.

Along with rent, Somerton's healthcare and food costs are notably cheap. Groceries cost 40% less in Somerton than in the rest of the country while healthcare comes in around 63% less than the average. Since healthcare is likely to be one of your biggest retirement expenses, the low healthcare costs should make Somerton appealing enough on their own.

Per the most recent data from Zumper, the median rental property in Benson comes to $900 a month. Your actual rent could range from $682 for a studio to $904 for a two-bedroom apartment, but you'll want to keep an eye on Benson's shifting housing market. While prices went down 15% over the last 30 days, they've gone up a total of 29% in the last 12 months.

Finances will play a huge role in whether or not you enjoy a stress-free retirement. If you haven't retired yet, now is the perfect time to start mapping out a move to a more affordable city.

If you've already reached retirement age, consider looking into moving to a cheaper area. You may find that you can keep even more money in your wallet each month by making the switch to somewhere that offers a more affordable cost of living without forcing you to sacrifice any of the things you were hoping to have in your retirement.