What county in Arizona has the lowest cost of living? 1. Download our new guide to help safeguard your retirement. Overall, the atmosphere is friendly and the community is tight-knit, which is critical for such a small town. Nearby facilities like the Havasu Regional Medical Center and the Havasu Surgery Center will give you access to the medical care you need. Roderick Elme/Flickr. So whats drawing the youngins? If mummified wood and aliens dont sound like amazing pastimes to you, just remember the best part about these Arizona cities: they are dirt cheap. Prescott, Arizona Prescott tops a list compiled by Market Watch of best mountain towns for retirees and offers significant savings from other areas of Arizona like Phoenix and Scottsdale. Dont be so surprised to see Surprise, Arizona on this list of the best places to live in Arizona. This old mining town that is just a few miles away from the southern border with Mexico has developed into a haven for hippies and eclectic personalities in Arizona. Flagstaff. 4. good nightlife and a nice variety of rural and suburban, 6 percent lower than the average for Colorado, , which can make a difference to your weekly budget. However, there are many more towns and cities than just those in Arizona with a stunning mountainous In the city itself, you can find over 80 art galleries that offer fine art paintings, contemporary jewelry, beautiful wood carvings, and much more. This suburb of Phoenix is considered one of the nice cities in Arizona for a variety of reasons. That hot desert climate means plenty of sunshine and shorts all year-round. It is also just an hour and a half from Colorado Springs. Population: 1,700 Cost of Living Index: 12% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $429,000. Today were going to take a look at some mountain and Rim Country towns that have fresh pine air, chilly nights, and day temperatures that dont make you sweat after five minutes of standing outside. Lets look at some of the best affordable locations in the area. The cheapest housing market in Arizona is Page. Salida is a cozy mountain town located where the, , including rafting and some history tours, and if youre a fan of hot springs, youll be pleased to learn that its only about a, 10 minute drive to the relaxing Poncha Springs, Salida also has plenty of cultural significance. There is always live music coming from the bars and venues, theaters that host plays year round, and galleries that showcase some of the best local talents. However, its not just for the young. Arizona is a state full of amazing sights and can be expensive at times; however, there are plenty of cities in Arizona that wont dry up your account like the Arizona sun dries your clothes. 2015-2023 Chasing Chains, LLC. If youre interested in history, youll also enjoy, 4 percent lower than the national average. Also, check out one of the many museums that Phoenix has to offer, like the world-renowned Phoenix Art Museum or the Arizona Science Center. It delivers one of the best nightlife scenes in Arizona and constantly exudes a lively, young energy that the 50,000+ students bring each semester, making it one of the best and coolest places to live in Arizona for students and young professionals. If retirement means getting away from cold weather forever, Arizona is your state. We used data and science to determine which places in Arizona go easy on your wallet. It shouldnt be difficult to meet your cost of living head on with the median income hanging close to $45,742. From Southern charm, to Southwest beauty, here are five of the best affordable mountain towns for retirees. Summary Best Places to Live in Arizona. Tolleson (tie) 5. Love Arizona? Flagstaffs proximity to nature and the Grand Canyon also allow its residents to take advantage of excellent hiking and biking trails as well as skiing in the winter. Located near Tombstone, Tucson is a robust, highly populated city. Mesa is also one of the most affordable suburbs in the area, with home prices that are just 1% higher than the state average. This nicely-priced town sits alongside the Tonto National Forest, the fifth-largest forest in the United States. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. Let us walk you through the cities that will allow you to ditch the ramen forever. It has both affordable homes and rents for places like it in Arizona. This town sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and is one of the top summer destinations for Arizonans with its pines, aspens, and the large mountain a short drive away. Apache Junction 6. have gotten way too expensive in the last few years. There is also a neighborhood dedicated. Heber-Overgaard. It's also a popular destination for snowbirds, residents who spend only the cold winter months living comfortably in the Arizona sun. 3. 5. With historic charm and a lot of amenities, Casa Grande looks to create an ideal quality of life for residents at a price everyone can afford. The hip, craft-beer-loving mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina, is great. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any decisions based on your own personal circumstances. All rights reserved. Flagstaff. The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford if you can live comes down to: You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make. Douglas, Arizona, is a border town located in Cochise County, directly along the US-Mexico border. When we think of the future, some key things probably come to mind: good health, a nice family, and a bit more money. To empower a confident, worry-free retirement for everyone. Winslow can be found in Navajo County, southeast of Flagstaff. in the entire nation and is now home to over 100,000 residents. 1. It is small, but not tiny, and offers an excellent climate. You can also have some fun with llama trekking and the town even has a little theater, too. Douglas. This old mining town that is just a few miles away from the southern border with Mexico has developed into a haven for hippies and eclectic personalities in Arizona. The city is situated right on the lake on Arizonas western border with California and has a reputation of being the place to be for college kids during Spring Break. Of course, Phoenix makes our list of the best places to live in Arizona. Gilbert 10. But its proximity to Phoenix and plenty of amenities also make it great for retirees. When people ask is Arizona a good place to retire, generally Sun City is one of the first places that comes up. But it's gotten expensive over the past few years as movers have sought its vibe and fresh mountain air. This analysis considers housing prices, cost of living, and accessibility to great singletrack bike trails. Full of beautiful homes, sidewalk cafes and casual and comfortable public spaces, you can find a cozy feel at the right price. Arizona Traveler/Flickr. It delivers, one of the best nightlife scenes in Arizona. 3. Opting for a smaller city can improve your cost of living without sacrificing access to activities and fun. If you think you will get some snowy winters here, think again. It is close to tons of nature and offers several lakes and phenomenal hiking trails. For example, a one-bedroom apartment will cost you $1,322 on average per month. Mesa keeps you active and outdoors as you enjoy living in some of the best weather in the country. We also made sure to find places that allow you to easily take advantage of Arizonas majestic outdoors. The cool air (which averages in the low-to-mid 70s in the summers) and quiet days are the perfect recipe for a respite from everyday life. Queen Creek's proximity to the airport also makes it an affordable place to live even if you spend a large amount of time traveling. You can also enjoy some excellent cuisine here, including a Mexican restaurant, some Chinese and Vietnamese food, and a great pizzeria. Tolleson (tie) 5. How long will $100,000 last me in retirement. Arizona is a highly mountainous state, with 194 named mountain ranges. Winslow. Once home to the Pueblo People, this city in Pinal County is now home to Central Arizona College. The hip, craft-beer-loving mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina, is great. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Goodyear 8. The town is best known for having inspired the popular TV show, If you want to fall in love with some amazing scenery and try some. The best part is that housing in Buckeye is about 10% lower than the Arizona state average, making it an extremely affordable place to settle. The most affordable places to live in Arizona include San Luis, Avondale, and Safford. Winslow can be found in Navajo County, southeast of Flagstaff. Tolleson (tie) 5. The average high in the summer is usually in the high 70s to low 80s so you can spend your days hiking and enjoying some iced tea outside while hardly breaking a sweat. Because of its size, the town boasts access to some great amenities, including a wildlife refuge, Splashland, a recreation center, a brewery, a climbing wall, and much more. They also offer tons of entertainment options and an overall strong sense of community. Queen Creek One-bedroom average rent price: $1,189 Average rent price change: -8.18% With an easy commute to Phoenix, Queen Creek gives you the benefits of small-town living without being far from an urban center. Its also only 50 minutes from Mount Elbert, which makes it an ideal spot for anyone who wants to spend time out and about in nature. Explore the parks, go ziplining, or try out some white water sports when the weather is hot. What makes this suburb of Phoenix so desirable is its small town feel that is matched with large city amenities. The nearby Prescott National Forest puts Prescott toward the top of the list of the Arizona retirement cities. Population: 8,280 Cost of Living Index: 20% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $182,000. In terms of living costs, its 4 percent lower than the national average, with cheap groceries but more expensive healthcare. Nature lovers will also enjoy Goodyear, especially the beautiful Estrella Mountain Regional Park that is just 5 minutes from the center of town. Meanwhile, Chandler is also still relatively affordable, especially compared to neighboring Scottsdale.

The cheapest housing market in Arizona is Page. We start our list of the best places to live in Arizona with Flagstaff, which is the largest city in Northern Arizona. Population: 13,016Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 3)Home Price To Income Ratio: 2.3x (3rd most affordable)Income To Rent Ratio: 61.7x (55th cheapest)More On Coolidge: Real Estate|Crime Rate|Cost Of Living. Today, there are over 140,000 people living in this suburb of Phoenix that offers an extremely affordable way of life, especially compared to the other cities in the area. We start off our list of the most affordable mountain towns in Colorado with Manitou Springs. 5. From the upscale city of Scottsdale to the college town of Tempe, rents throughout the state sit on the more affordable side. Although the summers are sweltering, the winters are mild in most areas, giving you plenty of comfortable days. Go to its historic downtown and you will find buildings still styled in old architecture that house numerous independent boutiques, locally-owned restaurants, and cozy cafes. Queen Creek One-bedroom average rent price: $1,189 Average rent price change: -8.18% With an easy commute to Phoenix, Queen Creek gives you the benefits of small-town living without being far from an urban center.