Retirement Retired Life

9 Low Humidity Cities Where You Can Live on Nothing but Social Security

Discover charming, dry cities where Social Security is enough to live comfortably.

By Melanie Dawn

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Nov. 9, 2025

If you experience chronic inflammation and joint pain, or you're sensitive to heat, you may find living in cities with low humidity beneficial.

However, popular desert places, like Flagstaff, may be out of budget if you're trying to live on an average monthly Social Security benefit of about $2,000. The good news is that there are plenty of welcoming communities where the air is dry and you can stretch your retirement dollars further.

Here are nine cities where you can manage your health and your budget.

Editor's note: All average rent prices are provided by Apartments.com, and all home prices by Zillow.com.

Get instant access to hundreds of discounts

Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks like discounts on travel, dining, and even prescriptions.

Get 25% off membership — just $15 for your first year with auto-renewal — and a free gift if you join today.

Become an AARP member now

Sierra Vista, Arizona

Average rent: $924

Average home value: $300,005

Sierra Vista sits in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains in the Sonoran Desert. Commonly known as the Hummingbird Capital of the United States, the city is home to 15 species of hummingbirds. Outdoor lovers appreciate the multi-use park paths and conservation areas, including the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

The climate in the area is hot and dry, with winter lows around 34 degrees and summer highs in the 90s.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

El Paso, Texas

Average rent: $964

Average home value: $229,135

El Paso tends to be dry and warm year-round. Rainfall throughout the year averages only 10 inches and typically falls during the monsoon season from June to August.

The Franklin Mountains State Park sits in the middle of the city, offering plenty of outdoor recreational activities for retirees. In addition to low rent, the city's cost of living is about 18% below the national average.

Yuma, Arizona

Average rent: $956

Average home value: $294,054

Budget is often the main concern when evaluating potential places to live, and retirees appreciate Yuma's low cost of living. Residents can expect to pay around 9% less than the national average for health care, transportation, and utilities.

The sunniest place on Earth, Yuma has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Retirees who love the outdoors can kayak down the Colorado River or hike the Telegraph Pass Trail.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Average rent: $1,223

Average home value: $387,335

Idaho Falls has low humidity and four distinct seasons. The area typically gets about 12 inches of rain and an average of 39 inches of snow.

Residents enjoy historic architecture and the Idaho Falls Greenbelt & River Walk, which offer beautiful views. Yellowstone Park and Grand Teton National Park, both about 2 hours away, are also popular for hiking. The cost of living is about 17% below the national average, making daily necessities more affordable.

Pueblo, Colorado

Average rent: $1,026

Average home value: $286,782

Pueblo, in the southeast corner of Colorado, has a semi-arid climate with 12 inches of rain per year. The cost of living is about 10% less than the national average.

Lake Pueblo State Park offers a variety of activities, including hiking along the historic Riverwalk. The city also offers other scenic trails, including the Arkansas Stonehenge and Rock Canyon Trail Loop, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants downtown.

Bullhead City, Arizona

Average rent: $959

Average home value: $300,359

Despite Arizona's reputation for being expensive, Bullhead City offers affordable rent and a cost of living comparable to the national average but 6% lower than the state average. The cost of health care, transportation, groceries, and utilities is about the same as in other areas across the country.

Located along the Colorado River, Bullhead City has a dry, desert climate and receives little rain year-round. Seniors who enjoy the outdoors may appreciate the abundant sunshine.

Retirement News: Almost 80% of Americans fear a retirement age increase — here’s the real reason why

Farmington, New Mexico

Average rent: $905

Average home value: $270,904

Located in the scenic Four Corners area, Farmington is home to the All Veterans Memorial Plaza, the Aztec Museum, and Chaco Culture National Historic Park, all ideal for hiking, biking, and nature watching. The San Juan River is also the perfect spot for fishing.

The climate in Farmington is semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters. Rent is typically below $1,000 a month, and the cost of living is about 21% less than the national average.

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Average rent: $998

Average home value: $288,613

Las Cruces sits on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert at the base of the Organ Mountains. The city has a semi-arid climate with mild, dry winters and hot summers.

Downtown, you'll find a train depot and the Railroad Museum in addition to wineries and breweries in the area that offer tastings. Rent is low, and necessities cost about 17% less than they do nationwide.

Casper, Wyoming

Average rent: $1,002

Average home value: $299,407

Casper is another city with a semi-arid climate, even though temperatures tend to be milder. The cost of living is about 5% below the national average and about 3% lower than the state average.

You'll find multiple exhibits throughout the city, including the Nicolaysen Art Museum and the Fort Caspar Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Gordon Creek Falls and the Platte River Trails, which offer hiking, biking, and fishing.

In 2023 Americans lost over $10 billion to identity theft and fraud

That's right. According to the FTC, Americans lost over $10 Billion to fraud and identity theft in 2023.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one identity theft protection services from Aura which comes with $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance¹ <p>Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.</p> per adult, to cover you should you have eligible identity theft-related losses.

An individual plan starts at $9 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others - includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.

Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Save up to 68% when you sign up for protection today!

Bottom line

Choosing a place to live when you're on a fixed income requires planning, but there are plenty of places offering an affordable lifestyle, the amenities you need, and the low-humidity climate you're looking for. These nine cities are proof of that.

Choosing one of these cities to call home in your golden years could be a smart money move for seniors who prefer dry heat and plenty of sunny days.

More from FinanceBuzz: