But that doesn’t mean the migration is impossible. In a recent study, Finance Buzz identified 10 Arizona cities where snowbirds and other retirees can afford to live off their monthly Social Security check alone. The study looked at the average rent and home price and factored in an average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,907 per month.
Despite being a college town, Tucson has more retirement-aged residents than college students.
Dirk DBQ/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Tucson
As the second-largest city in the state, Tucson offers a lot for folks of all ages. In addition to boasting reasonable housing prices, it’s home to the University of Arizona and has plenty of hiking trails, historical landmarks and great food. Nearly 550,000 people reside in the city, 17% of whom are ages 65 and older.Average rent: $1,012
Median home sale price: $325,000
Yuma
This southern Arizona city alongside the Colorado River borders Mexico and California. Of its population of more than 100,000 people, 17% is older than age 65, according to the U.S. Census.Average rent: $943
Median home sale price: $310,050
Glendale
This Valley suburb is home to multiple golf courses, a quirky downtown area and plenty of attractions, such as pickleball restaurants and concert venues. It’s also just a hop, skip and a jump away from Phoenix.However, only 13% of its roughly 250,000 residents are ages 65 and older.
Average rent: $1,233
Median home sale price: $425,000
Coolidge
This small, little-known city in Pinal County is situated midway between Phoenix and Tucson. Its main claim to fame is the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which was the first historic site to receive protected status by the U.S. government in 1892.Much smaller than Yuma or Tucson, Coolidge has a population of about 14,000 people, 14% of whom are ages 65 and older.
Average rent: $1,105
Median home sale price: $300,000
Lake Havasu City
This destination city on the Colorado River between California and western Arizona offers miles of hiking trails, water sports and even the original London Bridge. The sunny city has a population of nearly 58,000 people, 35% of whom are ages 65 and older.Average rent: $609
Median home sale price: $485,000
Kingman
This northwest Arizona city is along the state’s iconic Route 66 — and has plenty of museums to show for it. It’s also just more than 100 miles away from the bright lights of Las Vegas.A sizable percentage of this city’s population is seniors, as well. Of its 33,000 residents, 24% are ages 65 and older.
Average rent: $1,046
Median home sale price: $313,500
Springerville
This rural eastern Arizona town in Apache County’s White Mountains borders New Mexico and is about an hour away from Show Low. Plenty of parks and hiking trails are available to explore.Springerville has a tiny population of slightly more than 2,000 residents, almost a quarter of whom are ages 65 and older.
Average rent: $457
Median home sale price: $345,000
Clarkdale
Arizona's first planned community is situated between Prescott and Sedona. It’s home to the Tuzigoot National Monument, and because it's part of the Verde Valley Wine Trail, it offers plenty of wine tasting. About 4,500 people reside in the small mountainous Yavapi County town, 37% of whom are 65 and older.Average rent: $731
Median home sale price: $442,053
Camp Verde
Just 20 miles south of Clarksdale, this mountainous town also is in Yavapai County. Situated on the Verde River, it’s about an hour away from many iconic Arizona cities, including Phoenix, Prescott and Flagstaff. Twenty-three percent of Camp Verde’s 12,000 residents are ages 65 and older.Average rent: $622
Median home sale price: $406,000
Nogales
Retirees can explore local museums and the historic downtown of this southwest Arizona border town in Santa Cruz County. And with rents significantly lower than the statewide average, Nogales has a population of nearly 20,000 people, 18% of whom are 65 and older.Average rent: $454
Median home sale price: $303,000
