7 Arizona Cities Where You Can Live Comfortably on Social Security Alone

Florida has a reputation as one of the most popular retirement destinations for retirees who love the sun. But the Sunshine State isn't the only place where seniors with a budget-conscious retirement plan can enjoy good weather year round. Arizona is another popular (and sunny) retirement destination, especially for seniors who want to enjoy the low property taxes and affordable homeowners insurance, which is something they won't find in Florida.

If you're looking for affordable Grand Canyon State cities where you can maximize your retirement savings, keep reading. We have put together a list of cities where seniors who rely largely on Social Security benefits, an amount that averaged $1,869.20 per month as of November 2025, can stretch their dollars further. 

Editor's note: Unless noted otherwise, all information on apartment rentals came from Zillow, and all home pricing data came from Redfin. 

Average rent: $1,450

Median home sale price: $325,000

Thanks to the Wild West classic 3:10 to Yuma, this small city in Arizona's southwest corner has a reputation as a sunny, high desert town.

But along with beautiful desert landscapes, Yuma's location along the Colorado River means it's also a great spot for anyone who loves gorgeous riverside views. Residents can also enjoy low-impact, low-cost activities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing, activities that are accessible year-round thanks to Yuma's sunny weather.

Average rent: $1,556

Median home sale price: $315,000

If you want to live in a bigger city without dealing with Phoenix's higher prices, Tucson could be a good fit.

At just under $1,000 per month, rent still leaves retirees with extra money for necessary expenses like health care. Ideally, you'll also have some money left over to enjoy Tucson's incredible food scene when you're done, since the city's 5,000-year history of excellent food earned it a prestigious designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015.

Average rent: $1,500

Median home sale price: $293,745

Although Coolidge's average rent is just above Tucson's, you'll get more bang for your buck in the smaller city since the average apartment size is 702 square feet (compared to Tucson's average of 595 square feet).

Plus, Coolidge is positioned halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, so you can travel to bigger cities while enjoying a much lower cost of living.

Average rent: $1,495

Median home sale price: $295,000

If you're interested in a quieter retirement away from the big city, Kingman is a scenic and affordable choice. As a crucial city along Route 66, Kingman has a rich history with plenty of museums to explore.

And if big city life calls you for a weekend, Las Vegas is just an hour and a half away.

Average rent: $1,279

Median home sale price: $105,500

Nogales is located in southern Arizona near the Mexican border.

With stunning Mexican food on either side of the border and generally low utility rates, Nogales is one of the most affordable and culturally rich cities in Arizona for fixed-income households. 

Average rent: $1,500

Median home sale price: $579,500

Camp Verde's central Arizona location means it's about an hour away from Phoenix, Prescott, and Flagstaff.

But if you relocate to this small town along the Verde River, you might not have much occasion to leave. The beautiful free-flowing river, intriguing archeological sites, and several dozen hiking trails should keep you occupied without taking a toll on your budget.

Average rent: $1,000

Median home sale price: $245,000

If you want to enjoy clear skies without saying goodbye to snow for good, the mountain town of Springerville might be exactly what you're looking for. Thanks to its high elevation, Springerville actually has all four seasons, and it's located just 30 minutes away from the Sunrise Ski Park.

If you want to set yourself up for retirement, finding a retirement location you genuinely love where your retirement savings will stretch as far as possible is important. 

If you love cloudless skies but hate the high property taxes and astronomical homeowners insurance like what you'd pay for in Florida, one of these Arizona towns could be the perfect place to enjoy your golden years.