Arizona
For Americans thinking of retiring to Arizona from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in Arizona run at 100.7 against a US average of 100, with housing at 106.8. We cover Arizona's 15 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and 1 town in depth: Prescott (Yavapai County).
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
Arizona is not compared with a town — compare the towns below instead. Why?
Arizona, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
Arizona's 15 counties
Every county in Arizona on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
- No figure
- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = more)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 15 counties, with their figures
-
Apache County
64,445 residents, 13,220 aged 65 or older (20.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,376 Lower than 46 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 22.8 per 100,000 a year Lower than 9 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.65 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 30 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,839 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Eagar, St. Johns, Springerville (Census, 1 July 2024).
Apache County page → -
Cochise County
126,332 residents, 35,190 aged 65 or older (27.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 89.2 Cheaper than 45 % of the other 3,142 US counties Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,333 Lower than 73 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 4.9 per 100,000 a year Lower than 72 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.21 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 15 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Sierra Vista, Douglas, Benson (Census, 1 July 2024).
Cochise County page → -
Coconino County
144,368 residents, 23,780 aged 65 or older (16.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.3 Cheaper than 8 % of the other 3,142 US counties Flagstaff, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,835 Lower than 86 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 7.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 50 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.90 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Flagstaff, Page, Williams (Census, 1 July 2024).
Coconino County page → -
Gila County
53,801 residents, 17,766 aged 65 or older (33.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,034 Lower than 81 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 12.2 per 100,000 a year Lower than 26 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.13 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 6 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,071 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Payson, Globe, Star Valley (Census, 1 July 2024).
Gila County page → -
Graham County
40,157 residents, 6,409 aged 65 or older (16.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,905 Lower than 85 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Graham County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.66 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 30 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Safford, Thatcher, Pima (Census, 1 July 2024).
Graham County page → -
Greenlee County
9,312 residents, 1,296 aged 65 or older (13.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,376 Lower than 95 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Greenlee County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.53 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 11 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,273 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Clifton, Duncan (Census, 1 July 2024).
Greenlee County page → -
La Paz County
16,711 residents, 6,448 aged 65 or older (38.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,483 Lower than 68 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- La Paz County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.22 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 6 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Parker, Quartzsite (Census, 1 July 2024).
La Paz County page → -
Maricopa County
4,689,558 residents, 829,632 aged 65 or older (17.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 103.3 Cheaper than 5 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,766 Lower than 88 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 10 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 7.2 per 100,000 a year Lower than 52 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.41 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 44 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert (Census, 1 July 2024).
Maricopa County page → -
Mohave County
228,102 residents, 78,551 aged 65 or older (34.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 94.1 Cheaper than 24 % of the other 3,142 US counties Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,775 Lower than 88 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 6.9 per 100,000 a year Lower than 54 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.66 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 30 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Kingman (Census, 1 July 2024).
Mohave County page → -
Navajo County
109,946 residents, 24,502 aged 65 or older (22.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,309 Lower than 74 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 14.8 per 100,000 a year Lower than 20 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.53 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 36 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $5,273 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Show Low, Winslow, Snowflake (Census, 1 July 2024).
Navajo County page → -
Pima County
1,074,685 residents, 262,121 aged 65 or older (24.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.9 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Tucson, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,720 Lower than 61 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 8.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 45 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.14 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 16 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley (Census, 1 July 2024).
Pima County page → -
Pinal County
539,380 residents, 122,092 aged 65 or older (22.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 103.3 Cheaper than 5 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,874 Lower than 85 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 6.6 per 100,000 a year Lower than 56 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.49 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Maricopa, Casa Grande, Apache Junction (Census, 1 July 2024).
Pinal County page → -
Santa Cruz County
50,020 residents, 11,238 aged 65 or older (22.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 81.7 Cheaper than 100 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Arizona nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,359 Lower than 72 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Santa Cruz County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.72 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 9 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Nogales, Patagonia (Census, 1 July 2024).
Santa Cruz County page → -
Yavapai County
252,552 residents, 92,965 aged 65 or older (36.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 98.3 Cheaper than 12 % of the other 3,142 US counties Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,673 Lower than 90 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 2 hospitals in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 3.3 per 100,000 a year Lower than 87 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.83 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 24 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Prescott Valley, Prescott, Chino Valley (Census, 1 July 2024).
Yavapai County page → -
Yuma County
224,449 residents, 46,563 aged 65 or older (20.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 92.7 Cheaper than 29 % of the other 3,142 US counties Yuma, AZ metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,375 Lower than 71 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 5.4 per 100,000 a year Lower than 66 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.89 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 21 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $5,405 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Yuma, San Luis, Somerton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Yuma County page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by county of residence; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Where Arizona stands, on the six criteria
Arizona's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 6 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of Arizona, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
100.7 Cheaper than 32% of the other 50 · housing 106.8 · goods 95.4 · utilities 92.3 · other services 102.8
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $1,900 (90% margin USD $1,889–$1,911) Lower than 84% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
87 % of residents 65+ Higher than 88% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
7.3 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 7.0–7.6) Lower than 42% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
4.8 months a year More than 54% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $1.63 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 26% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in Arizona
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in Arizona, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
USD $4,870 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,870)
At most USD $13,170 in a bad year (from USD $8,870), with each person's in-network out-of-pocket maximum
The middle of the 45 plans offered here; "from" is the lowest premium among them.
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $5,405 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,997)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 9 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of Arizona's 15 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025).
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Arizona's Medigap enrollment rule is not yet confirmed from Arizona's own insurance department.
Free, official Medicare counseling in Arizona: Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 1-800-432-4040 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to Arizona: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to Arizona, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
- Taxes on a retired couple: lower than 84% of the other 50 (USD $1,900). Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household
- Healthcare access: higher than 88% of the other 50 (87 % of residents 65+). CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
Cons
None of Arizona's six figures is in the bottom fifth of the states.
Also shown, not scored
Arizona's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of Arizona — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
7,623,818 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
1,571,773 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
20.7 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in Arizona
We apply Arizona's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
Arizona's rules applied
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- Top income-tax rate: 2.5 % Arizona Department of Revenue, 2025 Arizona Form 140 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Social Security subtracted (Form 140, line 30): 100 % of it Arizona Department of Revenue, 2025 Arizona Form 140 Instructions, line 30 · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Exemption, age 65 or over: USD $2,100 per person, from age 65 Arizona Department of Revenue, 2025 Arizona Form 140 Instructions, line 38 · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Standard deduction, married filing jointly: USD $31,500 Arizona Department of Revenue, 2025 Arizona Form 140 Instructions, line 43 · checked Oct 26, 2026
- State transaction privilege (sales) tax 5.6 %, plus county and city rates: 5.6 % Arizona Department of Revenue: Understanding Use Tax · checked Oct 26, 2026
Places in Arizona we cover in depth
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