If cost of living isn't a huge factor, you might want to consider retiring in this city that has some of the best weather
New Report: This Is the No. 1 City to Retire in the U.S. in 2025
Published on Apr. 11, 2025
One of the biggest plot twists in the 2025 real-estate market has to be the retiree boom in Massachusetts. Seniors who once moved to Florida in droves are now choosing to live near top-notch health care and abundant cultural opportunities in a state boasting a wide range of geography—from mountains to oceans—and, of course, four distinct seasons.
Regardless of the beauty and charm of New England (we’re looking at you, fall foliage), many retirees often want to live in milder weather where prices aren’t quite as steep as in the Northeast. Yes, people still want to retire to Florida, but Niche, a company that connects people to their neighborhoods, produced a new report naming the best city to retire in the U.S. in 2025, and it’s not in Florida or Massachusetts. Read on to learn which city was recently named the No. 1 spot for your golden years.
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How was the best city for retirees determined?
To determine the best city for retirees in 2025, Niche collected information from various sources, including up-to-date data from the U.S. Department of Education, the United States Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and others, plus surveys and reviews.
With this data, Niche considered 16 factors, such as the percentage of residents 65 years old and over, the average number of sunny days per year, the percentage of residents with bachelor’s degrees and access to services such as grocery stores, libraries and recreation facilities.
Which city is the best to retire in?
Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the best city to retire in the U.S. in 2025. The desert city has a population of 242,169 and is just east of Phoenix, the state capital, which has a population of 1.65 million and is the fifth-largest city in the U.S.
Why is Scottsdale, Arizona, the best for retirement?
Niche listed a dozen reasons why Scottsdale, Arizona, is the best city for retirees in 2025, but we wanted some local intel. We turned to John Gluch, leader of one of the largest real-estate teams in the country, who is based in Scottsdale. Gluch is from Scottsdale but moved his family to San Diego only to return to Scottsdale. Here’s what Gluch has to say about his hometown.
Weather
Even though Arizona is brutally hot three months of the year, Scottsdale still earned an A+ for the weather. Gluch says that many people travel during the summer, and the weather is truly amazing the other nine months of the year, which make up for the super hot months. Other pluses? “Natural disasters are nonexistent, and it rarely rains here.”
Outdoor activities
Perhaps as a result of that pleasant weather, Scottsdale earned an A- for outdoor activities. “Everywhere you look, you can find walking and biking paths, hiking trails and incredible golf courses,” Gluch says. “Growing sports like pickleball thrive here because of the great weather 70% of the year.” Gluch points out that when the weather is sizzling, wonderful recreational lakes are nearby for summer fun.
Health and fitness
Scottsdale earned an A for fitness, which is no shocker considering the great weather and abundant outdoor activities. “People are very fit here, which is inspiring and makes joining groups, clubs and gyms easy and inexpensive,” Gluch says.
Commute
Scottsdale is a big, sprawling city, but it earned a B+ for commuting, especially since it’s an easy city to navigate. “Scottsdale’s grid-like street system gives you dozens of ways to get from one place to the next efficiently,” Gluch says. “Scottsdale is also very good at constantly increasing the roadway capacity with freeway improvements.”
Housing
Scottsdale scored a C+ for housing, so just slightly above average. Gluch is upfront that housing is expensive in Scottsdale—partly because so many people want to live there—but notes that there’s a wide variety of pricing. “Unlike many parts of California, there is a home for almost any budget,” Gluch says. “You might not get what you’d get in Minnesota for the same money, but if your budget is capped, you can find something if you are willing to make some compromises.”
Crime and safety
Scottsdale’s crime and safety score is a B-, but Gluch says these averages are brought down by a few select neighborhoods in South Scottsdale. “Generally speaking, as you go north, the stats get better, and Scottsdale ranks with the safest places in the world,” he says.
Nightlife
Scottsdale earned an A for nightlife, and Gluch says it is also home to some of the best restaurants in the world. “Scottsdale enjoys an embarrassment of riches when it comes to dining and nightlife,” he says. Scottsdale Boulevard, in particular, is filled with beautiful restaurants serving to-die-for food. “It feels like a new one is opening up each week,” he adds.
Diversity
Scottsdale earned a B+ based on ethnic and economic diversity. Gluch says the city may not be as diverse as other parts of the state, but it has a great community atmosphere. Residents experience a strong sense of belonging and shared values, which can lead to increased community engagement and participation.
Jobs
Scottsdale earned another high mark, a B+, for jobs. While most retirees aren’t job seekers, a healthy job market is beneficial for the entire community. “Arizona is very well known for its pro-business politics and policies,” Gluch says, “and as its most high-end city, Scottsdale attracts some of the best jobs in the state.”
Cost of living
Scottsdale received its lowest score, a C-, for the cost of living. According to current data from Redfin, Scottsdale’s cost of living is 14% above the national average. The national average for a home is $425,583, and the average for Scottsdale is more than double at $874,900.
That said, costs for utilities, health care and transportation in Scottsdale are 4% to 8% less than the national average, and groceries are only 5% above average.
What other cities rounded out the top 10?
The other cities rounding out the top 10 best U.S. cities for retirement in 2025 are:
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Clearwater, Florida
- Metairie, Louisiana
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Cape Coral, Florida
- Plano, Texas
- The Woodlands, Texas
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Sandy Springs, Georgia
- Berkeley, California
About the expert
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Sources:
- Niche: “2025 Best Cities to Retire in America”
- Redfin: “Cost of Living in Scottsdale, AZ”
- John Gluch, Scottsdale real estate agent and founder of Gluch Group; email interview, April 8, 2025
