The latest rankings for the safest and most prosperous retirement towns in America are in — and surprisingly, no Florida destinations made the top 30.
Be Informed: The Emerging Retirement Challenge for Baby Boomers
For You: 4 Unique Methods to Generate Additional Income that Truly Work
GOBankingRates identified the safest and wealthiest cities for retirees by scrutinizing data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Only cities where at least 25% of the population was aged 65 or above were considered. Each city’s quality of life score was obtained from AreaVibes, along with the average value of single-family homes from the Zillow Home Value Index for September 2024.
Key Insights
Oro Valley, Arizona, stands out as the safest and wealthiest retirement destination in the U.S. Additionally, six other Arizona spots — Prescott, Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, Prescott Valley, Apache Junction, and Bullhead City — made it to the top 30 list.
Among the top-ranking cities, 12 of the most secure and affluent retirement locales are situated in California. These include Rancho Palos Verdes, Lincoln, Laguna Woods, Walnut Creek, Novato, La Quinta, Seal Beach, Rancho Mirage, Cerritos, Banning, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs.
None of the retirement towns in Florida made it to the top 30.
Continue reading to discover which retirement towns are considered the safest and wealthiest in the United States.
Below is a rewritten version of the text you provided:
11. Lincoln, California
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $47,966
– Average home value for single-family homes: $646,552
– Livability score: 67
12. Prescott, Arizona
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $40,660
– Average home value for single-family homes: $614,569
– Livability score: 72
13. Huntley, Illinois
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $30,962
– Average home value for single-family homes: $400,135
– Livability score: 73
14. Aiken, South Carolina
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $40,311
– Average home value for single-family homes: $259,767
– Livability score: 68
15. Fort Lee, New Jersey
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $47,944
– Average home value for single-family homes: $939,775
– Livability score: 88
16. Lake Havasu City, Arizona
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $32,852
– Average home value for single-family homes: $488,313
– Livability score: 63
17. Scottsdale, Arizona
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $45,771
– Average home value for single-family homes: $922,559
– Livability score: 82
18. Laguna Woods, California
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $42,241
– Average home value for single-family homes: $481,924
– Livability score: 73
19. Walnut Creek, California
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $52,918
– Average home value for single-family homes: $1,441,223
– Livability score: 77
20. Prescott Valley, Arizona
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $30,927
– Average home value for single-family homes: $461,185
– Livability score: 62
21. Novato, California
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages 65+: $47,540
– Average home value for single-family homes: $1,190,655
– Livability score: 71
22. La Quinta, California
– Residents: 11.97
– Average retirement income for ages
1. Apache Junction, Arizona
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 5.06
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 16.50
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $30,211
– Single-family average home value: $386,845
– Livability score: 67
2. Rancho Mirage, California
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.73
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 35.41
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $61,573
– Single-family average home value: $1,085,436
– Livability score: 49
3. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.48
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 40.11
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $40,259
– Single-family average home value: $506,656
– Livability score: 69
4. Cerritos, California
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.12
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 48.15
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $44,823
– Single-family average home value: $1,086,655
– Livability score: NA
5. Niles, Illinois
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.48
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 18.42
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $24,710
– Single family average home value: $390,387
– Livability score: 80
6. Bullhead City, Arizona
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.33
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 20.62
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $25,343
– Single family average home value: $319,536
– Livability score: 64
7. Gloucester, Massachusetts
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.57
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.10
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $41,304
– Single family average home value: $763,752
– Livability score: 71
8. Banning, California
– Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.99
– Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 16.94
– Ages 65+ average retirement income: $37,920
– Single family average home value: $414,314
– Livability score: NA
9. Palm Desert, California
–
Conducting a Community Survey, we utilized the gathered data to calculate the percentage of the population aged 65 and over. The cost-of-living indexes, encompassing grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, were obtained from Sperling’s BestPlaces. By combining these indexes with the national average expenditure costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, we computed the average expenditure cost for each location. The livability index for each location was sourced from AreaVibes. Furthermore, the average single-family home value for September 2024 was obtained from the Zillow Home Value Index.
Taking into account the average single-family home value and assuming a 10% down payment, we calculated the average mortgage using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from the Federal Reserve Economic Data. By considering the average mortgage alongside the average expenditure costs, we determined the average total monthly and annual cost of living. Additionally, utilizing the Crime Data Explorer from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, we sourced data on property crimes and violent crimes. We then calculated the crime rate per 1,000 residents for both property and violent crime rates.
For scoring and weighting purposes, the property crime rate per 1,000 residents, violent crime rate per 1,000 residents, selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income for residents aged 65 and over, percentage of households receiving retirement income, and average retirement income for households receiving retirement income were all factored in. Aggregating and sorting these scores allowed us to identify the wealthiest and safest places for retirees to reside. All data was collected as of November 8, 2024, ensuring its relevance and accuracy.
For further financial insights, check out GOBankingRates for low-risk ways to build your savings in 2025, top SUVs for the middle class in 2025, optimal home-buying locations for value appreciation, and essential steps when your savings reach $50,000. This informative piece was originally featured on GOBankingRates.com, detailing America’s 30 Safest and Wealthiest Retirement Towns.
