This article takes a look at the 5 worst cities in the Southwest for retirees. If you wish to read our detailed analysis on navigating retirement living in the US, you may go to 12 Worst Cities in the Southwest for Retirees.
5. Lakewood, Colorado
Insider Monkey Score: 7.5
Cost of Living Index: 132.7
Tax-friendliness: Tax-friendly
Median House Price: $558,000
Health Grade: D
With a near failing health grade and a high median house price, Lakewood, Colorado is certainly not for the budget-conscious retiree. As if that wasn’t enough, the cost of living is the highest on our list – a whole 32.7% more than the national average. Best to think twice before getting pulled in by Lakewood’s many parks and hiking trails.
4. Flagstaff, Arizona
Insider Monkey Score: 6.5
Cost of Living Index: 116.2
Tax-friendliness: Moderately tax-friendly
Median House Price: $779,500
Health Grade: C
With Flagstaff, Arizona, we enter into the truly dangerous territories for Southwest retirement living – median house prices near the $800,000 mark. High cost of living, very high median house prices, below satisfactory health standards, and a retirement income that is taxed, there’s very little – if anything – that Flagstaff, Arizona offers to the average American retiree.
3. Scottsdale, Arizona
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Cost of Living Index: 113
Tax-friendliness: Moderately tax-friendly
Median House Price: $1,100,000
Health Grade: C
Our second Arizona top five pick pushes the housing market into the millions category. Median house prices sit at a comfortable $1.1 million, and cost of living is also high at 13% above the national average. For the average retiree planning to survive on social security and humble retirement savings, Scottsdale might not be the city to pick.
2. Holladay, Utah
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Cost of Living Index: 121.3
Tax-friendliness: Moderately tax-friendly
Median House Price: $990,000
Health Grade: B
The number two spot for worst cities in the Southwest for retirees goes to Holladay in Utah. An otherwise pleasant city, Holladay sees its downfall from the financial perspective – a factor most retirees keep at high priority. The cost of living is 21.3% higher than the national average, and median house prices are just shy of $1 million. Not to mention, retirement income is also taxed at a rate of 4.95% rate.
1. Paradise Valley, Arizona
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Cost of Living Index: 113
Tax-friendliness: Moderately tax-friendly
Median House Price: $4,800,000
Health Grade: F
Named Paradise Valley, a retirement move to the city may prove otherwise if the budget is not in check. A failing healthcare grade, cost of living 13% higher than the national average, and median house prices at $4.8 million, Paradise Valley requires a big fat check to guarantee peaceful living. Unfortunately, for most American retirees, this is not a possibility, and so Paradise Valley should be taken with caution.
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