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Retirement community in Sun City, Arizona

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Sun City, Arizona Retirement Guide

47

Retirement Score

Sun City, Arizona at a Glance

Median Home Price
$233,600
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.
Avg January Low
42.1°F
Cost of Living Index
100 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
47 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Sun City, Arizona, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
100 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$51,263High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Sun City's cost of living is 0% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$233,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,363High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
83.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Sun City using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$506

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$568

Median home price used: $233,600

Median rent reference: $1,363 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Sun City, Arizona after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
31.2 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
31.2 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
40.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Sun City scores 31.2 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Sun City

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Sun City →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Arizona has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.Read more in our detailed Arizona tax guide.

Arizona 2026 Outlook

Arizona Retirement Tax Benefits 2026

Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits and generally has low property taxes compared with many coastal states. Other retirement income may still be taxable under Arizona's income-tax rules, and local sales taxes can vary by city and county.

For Sun City, compare the tax picture with housing costs, summer cooling bills, healthcare access, and insurance before treating Arizona as automatically lower-cost than another Sun Belt state.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
108.7°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
42.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
11"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
352 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 352 sunny days a year and an average January low of 42.1°F, Sun City offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
0 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0.4 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
37,748High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
72.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
75.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
18.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
24.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
92.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
1.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
0.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Sun City

What is the cost of living in Sun City, Arizona for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 100, roughly 0% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $233,600.

Does Arizona tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Arizona residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.

What is the climate like in Sun City, Arizona?▾

Sun City, Arizona has January average low around 42°F, July average high around 109°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Sun City, Arizona?▾

Sun City scores 31/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

TRITON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, PLLC

Financial Advisor

TRITON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, PLLC

Financial Advisor

TRITON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, PLLC

Financial Advisor

+16 more financial advisors available

Interested in Sun City? Talk to a Local Expert.

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