News & Trending Real Estate News

Realtors Say Retirees Are Leaving Arizona in Droves (And Going to These 5 Places Instead)

Would you leave Arizona behind for one of these places?

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Nov. 11, 2026

Add Us On Google

The Arizona retirement dream might not be everyone's cup of tea, at least according to the retirees opting to move out of this state. Although many slot Arizona into their retirement plans, not everyone is happy with that decision on arrival. In fact, real estate agents in the Grand Canyon State have noticed a flow of retirees leaving this sunny paradise.

An estimated 15,500 retirees left this state behind in 2025. Extreme heat, water supply issues, and a high cost of living may have played a role in why some retirees chose to leave. We find out where retirees want to move to after spending time in Arizona.

Editor's note: All housing data comes from Zillow, unless otherwise stated.

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.

A home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short.

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

Get a free quote

North Carolina

Average home price: $332,159

North Carolina saw a net gain of 3,202 retirement-age adults in 2025. In total, 17,231 retirees moved into the state. But thousands also moved out of the Tar Heel State.

"Retirees prefer cities like Raleigh, Asheville, and Wilmington," says Ben Mizes, president of Clever Real Estate. And "areas like Asheville offer access to the mountains."

The grass is literally greener in North Carolina, which some retirees find they miss in Arizona. Beyond a change of scenery and more temperate weather, North Carolina offers a more affordable cost of living.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

South Carolina

Average home price: $304,319

South Carolina is a relatively small state on the Atlantic Coast. But it's begun to attract a large crowd of retirees. In 2025, the state saw the largest net gain of retirement-age individuals, with a net influx of 5,427 retirees.

Like North Carolina, the state has plenty of green grass. And it's an even more affordable spot than North Carolina, even though both of the Carolinas impose a state income tax.

"Coastal living and a strong golf community" make it a great option for many retirees, says Randy Flora, realtor at Fit Properties AZ, brokered by REMAX Fine Properties.

Florida

Average home price: $375,361

With no state income tax and sunny weather, Florida has been a mecca for retirees for decades. Overall, the cost of living in the Sunshine State is similar to Arizona's. But for retirees tired of looking at brown sand, Florida offers easier access to water, trees, and wildlife.

But times are changing in Florida. "Some prospective retirees are becoming more price-conscious and consider more inland locations due to increasingly high insurance and other costs associated with owning a home along the coast," says Mizes.

In 2025, Florida saw 45,696 retirees move to the state. That's more than 20,000 more than the next most-popular destination. But, interestingly, Florida also saw 44,881 retirees leave the state in the same year. That's only a net gain of 815 older adults.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.

Tennessee

Average home price: $330,844

Tennessee has become a retirement hot spot in recent years. In 2025, the state saw a net gain of 3,191 retirement-age adults. With rolling green hills and the allure of somewhat affordable housing options, many retirees get swept away into a dream of rocking chairs on the front porch.

But there's not a single city that seems to be overrun with retirees yet. Instead, retirees are still enjoying "reasonable home prices in multiple desirable areas," says Flora.

The lack of a state income tax is another reason retirees on a fixed income seem especially attracted to the Volunteer State.

Texas

Average home price: $296,424

The Lone Star State has seen retirees begin to pour in. Many are in pursuit of more affordable housing and no state income taxes. After South Carolina, it saw the largest net gain of retirees, with 5,156 retirement-age individuals moving into the area.

"Texas has a lot to offer potential retirees," says Mizes. "It is a large state with varied climate and interests."

Bottom line

As you build out a retirement plan, choosing the right place to call home can make a big difference. After leaving the working world behind, you might be able to pull up stakes to seek out warmer weather, a lower cost of living, or both.

But before you jump into a new state, consider visiting for at least a few weeks. It's important to make the right moves and find out if you'd really like living there or not. After moving, consider renting for a while to confirm you want to stay for the long haul.

More from FinanceBuzz: