One Of The Best Places For Retirees In 2025 Is A City In Arizona With Unparalleled Hiking And Outdoor Activities

Data provider Niche released its 2025 rankings of top places to retire, with Scottsdale, Arizona topping the list. Scottsdale earned an A grade for its public schools, benefits to families, and its nightlife. Also, when you consider that Arizona had one of the best economies in 2024, it's no wonder that the city has a median income that exceeds national rates. In fact, Scottsdale boasts a median income of $107,372 whereas, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the national median income was $80,610 as of 2023.

Aside from the economic potential in the city, Niche also points out the bars, restaurants, and outdoor benefits of living in Scottsdale. The city not only provides a good blend of urban and rural offerings, but it also offers beautiful desert views that can add scenery to golfing, hiking, and arts and cultural experiences. As a bonus, per the U.S. Census Bureau, a retired person living in Scottsdale would have a hard time being lonely considering 26.2% of the population is age 65 and above. With that in mind, there can be some financial considerations to keep in mind.

The cost of living can ultimately be a detractor for some retirees hoping to move to Scottsdale. Per a Mortgage Bankers Association release, the national median mortgage payment for new buyers in the U.S. was $2,173 per month, as of March 2025. And, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a median sale price for homes in the first quarter of 2025 was $416,900. Meanwhile, the median asking rent in the 50 largest metros in the U.S., per March 2025 data from Realtor.com, was $1,694 per month. In Scottsdale, the median sale price of a home is closer to $941,000, well above the national median for the sale price of a home in the U.S. Meanwhile, according to Zillow, the average rental rate in Scottsdale was a whopping $3,090 — or between $1,800 to $2,500 for a one-bedroom.

According to Arizona-based Berkshire Hathaway realtor Michelle Miller, home values rose 14.4% from 2024. Similarly, she estimates that the average monthly expense for a single person in Scottsdale was around $3,639 in late 2024. Utilities, including internet, cost between $300 to $450 per month while transportation costs were roughly $200 to $250 with insurance per month. Not to mention, a month of groceries cost between $300 to $400. However, you will avoid the cost of crime that comes with living in some of America's most dangerous cities, since both violent and property crime in Scottsdale fall below national average rates.

While you will pay more for the benefits of living in Scottsdale, there are many benefits to enjoy. For one thing, it's sunny almost every day of the year, with temperatures averaging around 69 degrees Fahrenheit in January, with highs of 105 degrees Fahrenheit in warmer months like August. The city also offers many free to attend events, like the Scottsdale location of the Arizona Community Farmer's Market. 

Meanwhile, you can also take advantage of day trips to nearby Old Creek Canyon, the Grand Canyon, or even the San Francisco Peaks. You can also consider renting a cabin at Kartchner Caverns State Park, with guided tours of nearby caves. The Sonoita/Elgin area is considered Arizona's wine country, where wineries like Sonoita Vineyards offer regular tours and tastings. These natural amenities makes Arizona one of the best budget vacation destinations in the U.S.