This city was ranked the best place to retire in Arizona. Here's what to know

By Laura Daniella Sepulveda

Scottsdale cracked a list of the best places to retire in the United States in 2024, according to a recent study.

The WalletHub study analyzed 182 cities across the U.S. using 45 key metrics to compare these cities benefits for retirees based on four categories: affordability, quality of life, activities available and health care quality.

The study named Orlando as the No. 1 place to live during your golden years. Four other Florida cities — Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Miami and St. Petersburg — also made the top 10.

Scottsdale, on the other hand, stood out as Arizona’s lone representative in the top 10. Other state cities were scattered across lower spots in the ranking.

Here's why Scottsdale made it to the top of the list and how other Arizona cities performed in the study, as well as a breakdown of the worst and best states to retire, according to WalletHub.

What are the best places to retire in 2024?

These are the 10 best states to retire in the U.S, according to WalletHub.

1. Orlando, Florida

2. Miami

3. Minneapolis

4. Tampa, Florida

5. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

6. Scottsdale

7. Cincinnati

8. St. Petersburg, Florida

9. Casper, Wyoming

10. Atlanta

What are the worst cities to retire in 2024?

These are the 10 cities that ranked lowest in WalletHub's ranking.

1. San Bernardino, California

2. Stockton, California

3. Rancho Cucamonga, California

4. Bakersfield, California

5. Newark, New Jersey

6. Detroit

7. Fresno, California

8. Bridgeport, Connecticut

9. Wichita, Kansas

10. Fontana, California

Is Scottsdale a good city to retire?

According to WalletHub's analysis, Scottsdale is the sixth best to retire in the U.S., especially due to the high quality of life it offers.

Scottsdale, along with Pearl City, Hawaii, has the highest share of the population aged 65 and older, which is three times higher than in Irving, Texas, the city with the lowest, according to WalletHub analysts.

Scottsdale outpaced other cities in the categories of quality of life, activities available, and health care quality, which earned the city a high spot in the list despite its poor performance in the affordability rank.

Among the 182 cities that were analyzed, Scottsdale came in 110th for cost of living, making it one of the lowest-ranking states for that category.

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, this can be a determinant factor for retirees when picking a place to live, as many are on a fixed income.

"It’s important to choose wisely," Lupo said. "The best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so."

Yet, Scottsdale offers higher quality health care and plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees compared to most U.S. cities, which is why WalletHub still named it among the top.

Is Arizona a good place to retire?

The WalletHub ranking also provided insights into other Arizona cities and their retiree-friendliness.

Most Arizona cities ranked in the upper half of the ranking, but most performed poorly in the cost of living category.

The Arizona city that followed Scottsdale on the list was Tempe, which snatched the 21st spot. Similarly to Scottsdale, Tempe ranked low for affordability but ranked fairly high in the categories of activities available, quality of life and health care.

The lowest ranking Arizona city was Glendale, which underperformed in all study categories, particularly in cost of living.

Here's a roundup of how Arizona cities performed on the list.

• No. 6: Scottsdale.

• No. 21: Tempe.

• No. 66: Chandler.

• No. 81: Tucson.

• No. 85: Phoenix.

• No. 86: Gilbert.

• No. 88: Peoria.

• No. 106: Mesa.

• No. 118: Glendale.

Final Thoughts

If you're considering moving to Arizona for retirement, Scottsdale stands out as a top choice, offering a blend of high quality of life, access to top-notch healthcare, and endless recreational activities. While it may not be the most affordable option, its vibrant lifestyle and amenities make it well worth considering, especially if you're