5 Best Towns Near Phoenix For Retirees

There are a number of affordable small towns to retire in around Phoenix. Lower housing prices and day-to-day costs are typical in places like Coolidge and Camp Verde, and because Arizona doesn't tax Social Security benefits and has relatively low property taxes compared to many states, the numbers pencil out well for retirees on a budget. Payson adds a cooler-weather option, with a higher elevation and milder summers than the desert floor. Together, these five towns strike a balance between affordability and comfort for travelers thinking about where to land next.

Wickenburg

About 60 miles northwest of Phoenix, Wickenburg is a long-established retirement pick, and the median age of its population of around 8,000 hovers close to 65. Housing is pricier here than in some of the other towns on this list, but that reflects the town's popularity. Active-adult communities are another option. Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch, a planned community on the edge of town, has everything needed to keep retirees busy, including two golf courses, a resort-style pool and spa, and pickleball courts. Homes in the 55+ section can run upward of $500,000, but for many retirees, the lifestyle justifies the price.

The cultural centerpiece of Wickenburg is its western art museum (now branded as the Sigler Western Museum following a recent expansion). The facility features a large collection of Western fine art, including works by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, along with a full-scale recreation of a turn-of-the-century Wickenburg street, complete with a saloon and general store. Volunteer opportunities are available at the museum, as well as during popular events like its Cowgirl Up! celebration of women Western artists. Another draw nearby is Vulture City, a ghost town that thrived during the gold-rush era.

Florence

About an hour southeast of Phoenix, Florence is one of the oldest towns in Arizona (founded 1866) and a good pick for retirement. With a population of just over 25,000, its housing is affordable, with typical homes averaging around $340,000, well below the state average. Healthcare is also covered: HonorHealth Florence Medical Center runs a 36-bed facility with 24/7 emergency services, and larger Banner Health facilities in neighboring Casa Grande are an easy drive.

Beyond the practicalities, Florence has things to do. The Florence Historic District is a popular spot for meeting friends or taking a walk, with several buildings along Main Street dating to the 1880s. The centerpiece is McFarland State Historic Park, built in 1878 and often cited as Arizona's oldest standing courthouse. Now a museum and visitor center, it is also a solid volunteer option for retirees.

For golfers, Poston Butte Golf Club runs a well-regarded 18-hole public course on the edge of town. A one-mile round-trip hike reaches the top of Poston Butte itself and the tomb of Charles Poston, known as the "Father of Arizona" for his role in establishing the original territorial government. Add the twice-monthly Florence Farmers Market and other community events, and it is easy to see why Florence makes the cut.

Payson

Payson is a strong option for retirees who want to escape the Phoenix heat. About 90 minutes northeast of the state capital, the town sits near 5,000 feet of elevation, which keeps summer temperatures noticeably cooler through June, July, and August. Proximity to natural attractions is another plus: the Tonto National Forest (the largest of Arizona's six national forests) and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park both sit close by. Just a few miles from downtown Payson, Tonto Natural Bridge features a 183-foot travertine arch over a 400-foot-long tunnel carved by ancient spring water. It is a popular spot for hiking and swimming in the pools at its base.

Payson's population of nearly 17,000 has an average age around 60, a sign of how popular the town has become with retirees near Phoenix. Healthcare is covered locally by Banner Payson Medical Center, which handles acute care and emergency services. One practical note: roads in and out of Payson can close occasionally during severe winter snowstorms, so an AWD vehicle or a set of snow tires is worth factoring in.

Camp Verde

Also about 90 miles north of Phoenix, Camp Verde is another popular retirement pick for those who prefer milder summers. Located in the Verde Valley at roughly 3,150 feet, summers run noticeably cooler than in Phoenix, typically 5 to 10 degrees lower during the day. Of the town's population of 12,500 residents, around 27 percent are aged 65 or older, so there is no shortage of peers. Healthcare requires a short drive to neighboring Cottonwood for services at Verde Valley Medical Center, the area's acute-care hospital.

Camp Verde retirement brings several cultural and historical draws along with it. The standout is Montezuma Castle National Monument. One of the first national-monument designations under President Theodore Roosevelt (proclaimed December 1906), it preserves a five-story cliff dwelling carved into a limestone cliff above Beaver Creek by the Sinagua people. Nearby Montezuma Well is another popular stop: a natural limestone sinkhole fed by an estimated 1.5 million gallons of spring water a day and part of an ancient Sinagua irrigation channel. Both Montezuma Castle and the Well include short, paved paths that work for most mobility levels.

Other things to do for retirees include Fort Verde State Historic Park, a collection of original buildings from an 1800s US Army post, and the Verde River for kayaking, fishing, and riverside walks. Cliff Castle Casino Hotel is also close by for entertainment and dining.

Coolidge

An hour from both Phoenix and Tucson, Coolidge is a sensible pick for retirees who want to keep both cities within reach. Not that you would need to leave town often: Coolidge covers most of the basics for a comfortable retirement. The Coolidge Aquatics Center has an outdoor public pool open seasonally, and several parks handle walking and relaxation. For games, San Carlos Park offers a horseshoe pitch, and East Park has playgrounds and picnic facilities for visiting grandkids.

Coolidge does not have a major hospital, but Banner Casa Grande Medical Center is a quick drive and covers services from emergency care to women's health. Public transportation services are available for appointments and for trips to local spots like the Coolidge Adult Center, which offers hot meals, activities, and group programming. Housing is plentiful, with typical homes averaging around $255,000.

For history, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is just north of town. Centered on a large structure built by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People roughly 700 years ago, the building's original purpose is still debated. Volunteer options are plentiful, including tour-guide and educational-program roles.

Five Retirement Towns Near Phoenix

Together, these five towns provide a good cross-section of the retirement possibilities for those wanting to spend their Golden Years near Phoenix. Whether the priority is affordability, neighbors of a similar age, or the cooler temperatures you only find at elevation, you won't have to travel far from Arizona's biggest city to find an ideal place to retire.