Arizona is ranked in the bottom half of the country for places to retire

PHOENIX — Could Arizona be losing its luster as a retirement destination? The state ranks 31st on Bankrate’s list for best states to retire.

The study compared every state across eight categories. The Grand Canyon State received below-average marks for health care (33rd), neighborhood safety (32nd) and arts and entertainment (33rd).

Arizona also ranked 48th in the miscellaneous category, which included areas like walkability and air pollution.

However, the largest segment of survey respondents cited something different as their top factor when considering a place to retire.

“What it did worst in was affordability — 37th out of 50,” said Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at Bankrate. “Arizona has a cost-of-living index that’s well above average, and the home insurance premiums…are coming in right above average — but are certainly not low.”

Arizona’s home insurance rates increased by more than 70% from 2019 to 2024, which was the fourth highest in the country, according to Lending Tree.

Still, Kates noted that states as large as Arizona might not have a universal retirement experience.

“Where you live in the state is going to potentially change your actual experience relative to our rankings,” he said. “We’re looking at a state level. If you live in a rural area in Arizona, it’s going to be very different than if you lived in an urban environment.”

Arizona did earn high scores for its weather (4th), number of similarly aged people (13th), and local taxes (15th).

New Hampshire ranked as the top spot to retire, while Louisiana came in as the worst.

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