Looking to retire in comfort without breaking the bank? You may want to set your sights on Rio Verde, Arizona. In a new study by GOBankingRates, this small desert town just east of Scottsdale was named the number one place to retire, not just in Arizona, but in all of Arizona and Florida, two of the country’s most iconic retirement hotspots.
The study analyzed U.S. Census data from the 2023 American Community Survey and focused on cities with at least 1,000 residents and a population made up of at least 30% seniors. Rio Verde topped the list with a staggering 86.6% of its population over the age of 65, making it the most retiree-dense location on the list. This retirement hotspot offers easy access to big-city amenities in Scottsdale, while still maintaining a small-town feel with a population of 2,271 and amenities like the Rio Verde Country Club.
But Rio Verde isn’t just a haven for older Americans, it’s also surprisingly affordable. According to the study, a single retiree would need $896,947 to cover 15 years of retirement in Rio Verde, while a couple would need just $726,239. That’s a fraction of what it would take to retire in Florida’s most expensive metro: Palm Beach, where a 15-year retirement for one costs $11.6 million.
Top 15 retirement destinations in the U.S.
- Rio Verde, Arizona
- Sun City West, Arizona
- The Villages, Florida
- Timber Pines, Florida
- Green Valley, Arizona
- Sun City, Arizona,
- Indian River Shores, Florida
- Plantation, Florida
- Longboat Key, Florida
- Quartzsite, Arizona
- Highland Beach, Florida
- Palm Beach, Florida
- South Pasadena, Florida
- Venice, Florida
- Englewood, Florida
