11 Best Towns In Utah To Retire Comfortably
Utah is known for its year-round recreation and natural beauty. Retiring in this state means access to some of the most famous attractions in the country, like Dixie National Forest and Zion National Park. This means retirees will have plenty of ways to stay active. Besides that, the state checks many boxes linked to a comfortable retirement. As of July 2025, Utah ranks No. 1 in the annual best states ranking curated by US News & World Report. This ranking rewards the state’s high quality of life, strengthened by a combination of factors including quality healthcare and education, fiscal stability, good infrastructure, and low crime rate, among others. Obviously, retirement in Utah is sure to be pleasant, especially in its 11 best towns to retire comfortably, each of which offers housing prices below the state average of around $537,000 (Zillow) as of July 2025. From Richfield to Tooele, here are the top towns in Utah where everything is aimed at making retirement exciting and comfortable.
Hurricane
Hurricane welcomes all retirees with open arms, as it has all it takes to make senior living as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. For starters, this town is peaceful and surrounded by red rock landscapes, plus it encourages an active lifestyle with exciting attractions, such as the Sand Hollow State Park. Retirees will love the aforementioned park as it has a 1,300-acre reservoir ideal for fishing and boating, red sand beaches, and opportunities for relaxation. The Quail Creek State Park is another great spot in town where active seniors can always go to fish, swim, and boat on Quail Creek or hike and bike around the water. Golfers have the 18-hole Sky Mountain Golf Course to enjoy with spectacular scenery of sandstone, desert hills, and Zion National Park in the distance. Meanwhile, Hurricane is around 22 miles from Zion National Park, where 50 miles of trails and scenic drives offer access to dramatic geological formations, such as canyons, buttes, and arches.
Besides the recreation, Hurricane checks the box of affordability by Utah standards, as its median home price is below the state average at around $510,000. As for healthcare, the town hosts several medical facilities, such as Intermountain Health Hurricane Valley InstaCare, which provides urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions. Additionally, the reputable Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital is less than 30 miles away and offers a wide range of services, including cancer care and surgical services.
Cedar City
Retirement in Cedar City promises to be comfortable and full of pleasures. The cost of living in this town for one is generally lower than the state and national averages, according to Payscale and BestPlaces. Plus, its median home price is around $406,600, which is lower than the state average according to Zillow. Healthcare needs are met by the award-winning Cedar City Hospital right in town, and several assisted living communities, such as Our House of Cedar City, are always available to provide the best support.
With that said, Cedar City is a paradise of adventures. From this town, it is easy to hike through the stunning cliffs, bristlecone pines, and lush meadows at Cedar Breaks National Monument, or explore Dixie National Forest, Utah’s largest national forest. Covering nearly two million acres, the Dixie National Forest will delight active retirees with trails leading to beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and byways flanked by impressive rock formations. The Cascade Falls Trail, particularly, will be a favorite spot for seniors as it offers a 1.2-mile hike through the forest’s lush pine trees and formations, with views of Zion National Park, and a rare waterfall. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the local and regional artworks at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival will make summers memorable with lively music and costumed actors.
Monticello
Monticello is a gem in the base of Utah’s Abajo Mountains, perfect for those seeking a truly peaceful and remote post-work life. Populated by fewer than 2,000 people, this town is tiny; still, it's equipped with facilities and attractions to make retirement pleasant, from restaurants to medical facilities. Retirees will find the San Juan Hospital in this town, always open to provide excellent healthcare. Meanwhile, the Hideout Golf Club, one of the country’s top-rated courses, is in Monticello, offering amazing views and an 18-hole challenge.
Nearby, the Newspaper Rock Recreation Site offers short walks to a site full of petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. Loyd’s Lake is around 2 miles from town and also presents a 2.5-mile trail hike and opportunities for picnicking and fishing. Around 20 miles from Monticello lies the town of Blanding, where more attractions, such as the Dinosaur Museum, can be enjoyed. Blanding also has the Blue Mountain Hospital, which provides comprehensive healthcare, as well as assisted living facilities, like the Four Corners Regional Care Center.
Furthermore, retirees in Monticello will feel safe as the town’s overall crime rate is around 64% lower than the national average, according to AreaVibes. Monticello’s real estate market, according to Zillow, shows a median home price of about $374,000.
Brigham City
In Brigham City, every day can feel like a vacation for seniors who decide to make it their home. Here, visiting the Rees Pioneer Park will become a routine for retirees as the park is gorgeous and full of amenities, including a pool and sports facilities. Those who love birds will have the nearby Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to enjoy year-round. This refuge protects a variety of habitats, including wetlands and open water, making it a paradise for millions of migratory birds every year, such as bald eagles and tundra swans. Elsewhere in town, the Brigham City Museum of Art & History offers rotating exhibits and historic materials related to the area’s early days.
In terms of facilities, the town is equipped with the reputable Brigham City Community Hospital, one of the best in the area, providing top-rated emergency care and rehabilitation, among other services. Several senior living communities can be found in town as well, including the Gables Assisted Living of Brigham City. In addition, Brigham City is around 25 miles from Ogden, one of Utah’s largest cities, where a myriad of facilities and attractions, including the beautiful Ogden Botanical Gardens, await to offer more pleasures.
Richfield
Richfield is a true escape from it all, tucked deep in Central Utah on Interstate 70 and around 100 miles in any direction from a larger city. Despite its isolation, this town has all it takes to make life comfortable for retirees. Health needs here are taken care of by the Intermountain Sevier Valley Hospital, while amazing restaurants like the Little Wonder Cafe are always open to provide delicious homemade eats. Additionally, the Mission at Richfield Nursing & Rehabilitation is dedicated to providing skilled nursing and assisted living for seniors in town. On top of that, homes in Richfield cost $323,300 on average, which is far less than the state average and also below the national average of $369,000.
In the meantime, Richfield is the headquarters of Fishlake National Forest, an isolated world of natural beauty and adventure. This vast forest is home to the largest freshwater mountain lake in Utah and wildlife such as deer, black bears, coyotes, and elk. Retirees are welcome to fish and boat in the lake, hike over 700 miles of trails, and enjoy lakeside luxury from May to September at the Bowery Haven Resort. This park is also an amazing place for leaf peeping in the Fall, as its massive aspen groves display vibrant hues of yellow and gold. Away from the forest, retirees in Richfield will have the Cove View Golf Course to have fun all day, and the Huish Reel Theatre to enjoy the latest blockbusters.
Vernal
Nicknamed the Dinosaurland of Utah, Vernal is an exciting and comfortable place to retire. Starting from affordability, this town is among the cheapest places to live in the country, as homes sell for an average of $286,200, a far cry from the state average. And there’s no catch; instead, the town’s crime rate is below the national average according to AreaVibes, plus it hosts top-rated medical facilities, such as the 39-bed Ashley Regional Medical Center and Uinta Basin Healthcare. The town even hosts affordable senior living communities, including the Landmark Assisted Living, which provides assisted living and fosters social connections among seniors.
Lots of attractions are also in and around Vernal, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else in Utah. Fantasy Canyon is one such attraction, located around 25 miles from town, and characterized by unusual rock formations, estimated to have formed tens of millions of years ago. Retirees will enjoy walking around these rock formations, which have been described as resembling petrified forces of evil. A little closer to town is the Red Fleet State Park, where 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks can be found. This park is one of the more exciting spots in the area, featuring a reservoir ideal for fishing and boating, equipped campsites, and trails offering access to the park’s wonders. Back in town, the Vernal Theatre Live hosts a variety of shows and performances to keep retirees entertained year-round.
Spanish Fork
Spanish Fork is a charming town in the Utah Valley, with so much to make retirement enjoyable. First, the median home price is around $500,000, according to Zillow. Second, the town encourages an active lifestyle with many attractions, one of which is the Spanish Fork River Trail. This 5-mile trail is a cool place where seniors can bike with stunning views of the river, wildlife, and the surrounding mountains. Notably, this trail begins from Canyon View Park, one of the town’s top attractions, featuring impressive scenery, picnic tables, pavilions, and sports facilities. Pottery enthusiasts will love to visit the Fika Pottery Studio as it offers classes and workshops, and opportunities to get dirty crafting personalized pieces. Also, the town’s Coin Crazy Family Fun Center has a wide variety of games to keep everyone entertained, from arcade games to bowling. As for healthcare, the reputable Intermountain Health Spanish Fork Hospital is in town to meet a wide variety of health needs. Multiple senior living communities, such as Legacy House of Spanish Fork, can be found in town as well to help retirees enjoy the best experience.
Tooele
Tooele is a charming town in the Tooele Valley, perfect for a quiet retirement away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Salt Lake City. Here, retirees only require around $432,000 to purchase homes, even with all the pleasures it offers. The town is home to Bonneville Family Practice, a high-quality medical facility that provides comprehensive and personalized care. This medical facility will give retirees in Tooele peace of mind, plus the town is home to lots of attractions, starting from the 18-hole Oquirrh Hills Golf Course. This golf course will gratify golfers with breathtaking views of the Oquirrh Mountains and the well-maintained fields. Those who love movies have the UEC Theater to enjoy comfortable seating and the latest Hollywood hits. Furthermore, the town’s Dow James Memorial Park is always a great place to hang out with friends and family and watch sports with a scenic backdrop. Moreover, Tooele is around 35 miles from Salt Lake City for retirees who want some more action, and to explore famous attractions such as the Natural History Museum of Utah, where over 5,000 artifacts are on display.
Clearfield
Clearfield is one of the best towns to live and retire in Utah. Homes in this town sell for a median price of $425,900, plus it is packed with more than a dozen parks to keep retirees active and entertained outdoors. Seniors in this town will love to hang out at Steed Park and Fox Hollow Park & Arboretum, both featuring picnic pavilions and sports facilities. Notably, the former has a pond for fishing, while Fox Hollow Park has labeled trees native to the area. During summer or whenever the need to swim arises, the Clearfield Aquatic Center has everyone covered. This establishment has an indoor leisure pool complete with a lazy river and a hot tub. It also has a fitness area with a weight room, indoor track, and cardio equipment, plus fitness classes specifically made for seniors are regularly offered.
Furthermore, Clearfield is around 6 miles from the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve, one of the best spots to watch birds in Utah. Quality healthcare is available at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital - Davis, around 2 miles away, while Chancellor Gardens is in town, offering assisted living and memory care.
American Fork
Named after the American Fork River, which runs through it, this town is a paradise for retirement, surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains. While it is only around 32 miles from Utah’s capital, seniors will rarely need to travel that far as everything needed is in the area, from recreation to healthcare. Those who love the outdoors will have the Timpanogas Cave National Monument to hike a 1.5-mile trail and see caves made up of interesting formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. As a town on Utah Lake, American Fork has a beach and harbor from which to enjoy endless watersports on Utah’s third-largest lake. A few miles north, the Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon offers more water activities, including swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Back in town, Rotary Park will be a favorite spot for retirees to enjoy sports or relax and soak in some green scenery, watching people of all ages have fun. In terms of healthcare, the town is home to the highly rated Premier Family Medical & Urgent Care - American Fork, which provides excellent health services. Plus, several senior living establishments are in town, such as Bel Aire Senior Living, which offers assisted living and memory care. Homes in American Fork cost $570,000 at the median.
Kanab
Kanab’s reputation as a film-making destination might be one of its biggest appeals, but its affordability, natural beauty, and endless outdoor adventures are what make it an excellent choice for retirement. Median housing prices here vary according to source, but many sites report a median over $500,000. The town sits in the Colorado Plateau, where it is surrounded by famous attractions, such as Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and Moqui Cave. At the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, vast expanses of pink dunes await to transport all who visit into an otherworldly destination. Hiking and off-road riding are great ways to explore the dunes, but those who want more thrills are welcome to rent sand boards or sand sleds and hit the sands. Moqui Cave, around 6 miles from town, will delight history enthusiasts and cave enthusiasts alike. Carved by humans, these caves contain a rock collection, Native American artifacts, and dinosaur tracks dating back over 140 million years.
Those with a soft spot for animals will experience deep compassion at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. This sanctuary is known as the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and invites retirees to see and learn about the stories of over a thousand rescued animals, including dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, and even horses. When it comes to entertainment, Kanab is one of the best places in Utah to be, as it hosts establishments such as the Historic RedStone Theater, offering year-round cinematic experiences.
To crown it all up, Kanab has some of the best medical facilities in the area, like Kane County Hospital, which has a senior program specifically designed to meet the needs of people aged 65 years and older. Senior living facilities such as Beehive Homes are also in town to help seniors enjoy the best retirement.
True Comfort and Satisfaction Await In These Towns in Utah
Retirement in Utah promises to be pleasurable, especially for those who make these towns their home. From Spanish Fork to Brigham City, these towns in Utah have all it takes to keep seniors healthy and entertained, even while far from the noisiness of larger cities. With some towns having a lower cost of living and below-state-average housing prices, their appeal is further amplified. Plus, many of these towns serve as launch pads to explore some of Utah’s top attractions. Each of these carefully selected towns also includes some of Utah’s best medical facilities, bringing quality healthcare close to everybody. Choose from one of these towns today and head to Zillow to purchase a dream home, from where you can explore the wonders that the Beehive State has to offer.
