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This Arizona town was just named the best place to retire in the U.S.

Rio Verde, Arizona takes the top spot

By Amanda Teague Published May 27, 2025

Rio Verde — Ben Akers Photography / Shutterstock

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.

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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

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Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…

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