8 Best Towns In Arizona For Retirees

People have been moving or retiring to Arizona since the late 1800s, when their doctors advised that the hot, dry climate would improve their health, especially for those with respiratory ailments like asthma and tuberculosis. Even today, people with joint issues swear by the dry heat, while the endless sunshine helps the body make much-needed vitamin D. It is wise to understand, however, that the state has five climate regions with very different geography, temperatures, and rainfall.

So, when you are looking into various Arizona towns for retirement, be sure to consider geography and climate along with healthcare, cost of living, and things to do. For comparing cost of living between towns, the state's median house sales price as of July 31, 2025 was $475K, which is a bit higher than the US median of $415K. (Note that these are prices for existing homes, rather than new construction.)

Green Valley

Situated roughly 20 miles south of Tucson and 40 miles from the Mexican border, Green Valley has a hot, semi-arid to arid desert climate. The median home sold price as of July 31, 2025 was $287K, which is significantly below the state median. The closest hospital, Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita, is 10 miles away. It is a general/surgical hospital with diagnostic imaging and lab services. Banner University Medical Center Tucson, about 30 miles away, is an award-winning teaching hospital affilitated with the University of Arizona that provides high-quality, comprehensive care.

Green Valley is known as a retirement area especially suited for active adults, given that around three quarters of the population is 65 or older. Many active residents join the Green Valley Recreation Association (GVR) which operates an astounding array of centers and activities, including swimming pools; tennis, racquetball, and pickleball courts; fitness and rec centers; "leisure learning" courses ranging from aqua yoga to acrylic painting; as well as social events, clubs, and entertainment. From Green Valley, it's an easy, 14-mile drive to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. Enjoy beginner and advanced hiking trails, birding, and camping, along with terrific spots for a picnic.

Bisbee

In the southeast corner of the state is Bisbee, a former mining town for copper, gold, and silver in the Mule Mountains. When mining was halted, the town began the underground Queen Mine Tour in 1976 that is still quite popular today. Artists began to leave larger cities in droves and found Bisbee to be an attractive spot for their studios. Part of the attraction, then and now, is the town's affordability. The median house listing price as of July 31, 2025, was $325K, well below state and US medians. Bisbee's location in the mountains also means the town is often significantly cooler than many other AZ towns.

Bisbee's resident artists offer an abundance of art galleries to explore, like Belleza, which features fine art and fresh-baked cookies daily, and the Artemezia Foundation, a museum and gallery that showcases works of hundreds of contemporary, graffiti, and street artists from all over the world. Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee provides acute medical and emergency care, as well as rehabilitation and home health care. The Bisbee Primary Care Clinic provides primary healthcare by appointment.

Winslow

If you appreciate the youthful vibe and opportunities that come with a college town, check out Winslow, home to Northland Pioneer College. Winslow's median house sold price in July 2025 was an affordable $210K, well under the state and US medians. The 25-bed Little Colorado Medical Center provides critical access care and a range of medical services, while Flagstaff is only 50 miles away should more advanced care be needed.

When you live in Winslow, you will take all your visitors to see the Meteor Crater, a natural landmark made when a meteorite of mammoth proportions slammed into the earth's surface 50,000 years ago. Standin' on the Corner Park and shop of the same name celebrate a piece of music history, as Winslow was featured in the Eagles song, "Take it Easy." The store sells souvenirs and collectibles, while the park hosts a music festival each year in September. Get to know your new home town at the free Old Trails Museum, where exhibits, programs, and speakers explain how the town's history was shaped by Route 66, the Santa Fe Railway, and native culture.

Jerome

Imagine living in a town small enough that everyone knows just about everyone, yet close enough to visit larger towns and cities in all directions. That's what you will find in the central AZ town of Jerome. The median home listing price in June 2025 was $425K, which sits just below the state average, and Verde Valley Medical Center is less than 10 miles away in Cottonwood. Jerome is a historic mining town, and the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum has artifacts and memorabilia from life underground, as well as the diverse ethnicities that came together as miners, making the town a melting pot of cultures. Adults and children enjoy the collection of original mining equipment and old vehicles at the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, and even panning for gold the way old-timers did.

Jerome also boasts many unique boutiques and art galleries, like Jerome Artists Cooperative, where you might find the perfect pieces for your new home. Jerome State Historic Park is a must-see, both for its amazing views and unusual history. The visitors center and museum are housed in what was formerly the Douglas Mansion, built by James "Rawhide" Douglas, who owned the local mine called The Little Daisy. As you enter the park through the grand mansion, you are treated to a panoramic vista including the abandoned mine, Verde Valley, Sycamore Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks, named by monks for Saint Francis of Assisi.

Tombstone

One of Arizona's most famous silver mining in the Wild West, tourists flock to Tombstone to see where Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, Doc Holliday, and others often tangled with the outlaws known as The Cowboys. The long-standing feud came to a breaking point with a notorious shootout near the O.K. Corral. The town is still lively today, though much safer, and it's one of the more affordable AZ towns, too. As of July 2025, the median home listing price was only $225K.

After you have seen the daily reenactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, taken a narrated stagecoach tour, and imbibed at one of the many saloons, as a resident you will have many additional options. Hike around (or drive through) Chiricahua National Monument state park, where astounding, balanced rock formations stand like human figures. Or stay close to home and take a picnic to Tombstone City Park with its charming gazebo. You'll have plenty of time to stroll the boardwalk of shops, restaurants, and galleries, including perusing the Southwestern art, weavings, ceramics, and jewelry at Arlene's Gallery and Southwest Trading.

Sierra Vista

As you hike, bike, or ride horseback on the many trails that begin in Sierra Vista, you will immediately understand how your new hometown got its name. Experienced hikers will enjoy the challenge of Miller Peak which, at just below 10,000 feet, is the highest peak in the Huachuca range. All ages can appreciate the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, which is protected by the Nature Conservancy and houses over 170 bird species, including 14 types of hummingbirds alone, as well as a "Please Touch" room especially for kids. Take a cool tour at Kartchner Caverns State Park, with an interpretive center, nature walk, hiking trail, and two guided cave tours. One is available year round, while the other is closed in summer to allow for bats to roost between April and October.

Many serving and retired members of the military call Sierra Vista home, partly due to its location adjacent to Fort Huachuca, an active army base. Sierra Vista's median home listing price in July 2025 was $325K, and the Canyon Vista Medical Center is right in Sierra Vista, offering excellent advanced care through a range of medical and support services.

Globe

Less than a two-hour drive east of Phoenix, Globe is close enough to visit the big city but has plenty to offer on its own. The town's suburban/rural feel gives residents a slower pace of daily life without being a ghost town. Globe's climate is described as semi-arid, with its temperatures cooled somewhat by its elevation of 3,210 ft. near the Pinal Mountains, which add beauty and depth to the town's skyline and provide four seasons of activities. Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum is a fascinating spot to roam among the ancient ruins of pueblo homes of the Salado people from around 1225 CE to 1400 CE. Its botanical gardens offer a picnic area and nice spot to unwind.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Salt River Canyon Wilderness is popular for hiking and white water rafting. Round Mountain Park is a local, moderately challenging loop trail that is also dog friendly with stunning high-desert views. Globe's historic downtown is a mix of old buildings in a variety of architectural styles ranging from Gothic Revival to Beaux Arts, and quaint boutiques like antique shops, cafes, and restaurants. The median house listing price in Globe is around $300K, which is well under the state's average, and the highly-rated Cobra Regional Medical Center has been serving the community for almost 100 years.

Florence

Situated in central Arizona, about an hour's drive south of Phoenix and north of Tucson, Florence is one of the oldest towns in Arizona, and its original downtown is a designated National Historic District. The Gila River runs through this part of town. Pinal County Historical Museum tells the history of Florence and Arizona, and has many activities for families and kids, including free admission the first Saturday of every month. It closes seasonally in July and August, but is open the rest of the year. St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Monastery is a beautiful space with serene gardens and pathways to walk through; however, they also enforce a strict dress code and have limited hours, so visitors are urged to consult their website before going.

If you are lucky, the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds will be hosting a rodeo or music festival during your visit to Florence, but if you become a resident, you will always be in the know and can plan a trip accordingly. Florence is an affordable town for retirees with a median home listing price in July 2025 of around $350K, and HonorHealth's Florence Medical Center is a 36-bed hospital with 24-hour emergency services, inpatient care and observation, outpatient imaging, and much more.

AZ retirement is within reach

Although Arizona's mines ceased operations decades ago, retirees are still striking gold today in its smaller towns. From Globe to Bisbee, they find quaint, historic towns with a focus on sharing their history while planning for the future and, at the same time, preserving the land and resources. These are towns where the people make you feel welcome and where you can enjoy a slower pace of life, and become as involved as you want to be, or not at all. Each of these places has its own vibe, whether it's the active lifestyle of Green Valley or the artsiness of Jerome. Wherever you decide to settle, you can find an affordable home in one of these 8 Arizona small towns.