New Report: This Is the Safest Retirement Town in the U.S.
When choosing a retirement location, there are lots of considerations, all of which will vary by individual needs and preferences. Many people prioritize the most affordable places to retire or cities with easy access to quality medical care. Others simply want an abundance of golf courses. There’s another concern that isn’t always at the top of retirement-location wish lists, but perhaps it should be. And that detail is safety.
GoBankingRates analyzed cities in which at least 25% of the population was age 65 or over and determined the safest and wealthiest retirement towns in the United States. Surprisingly, while Florida’s warm weather, senior-friendly activities and lack of state income tax make it a popular retirement location, no towns in the Sunshine State made this list, which is dominated by Arizona and California.
While overall livability is important for retirees, safety isn’t always part of that equation, though it’s a huge component of what makes a town beneficial for seniors. Coming up, we explain the methodology of the report, reveal the safest city to retire in and share the other cities that rounded out the top 10 safest retirement towns in the U.S.
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How were the safest retirement towns determined?
GoBankingRates’s study included only those cities in which 25% of the population was age 65 or older. It considered nearby amenities, commutes, cost of living, employment, health and safety, schools and user ratings.
While safety is important for anyone (regardless of age or gender) for women living alone, safety carries additional weight when considering a retirement locale. Debra L. Morrison, a New Jerseybased financial planner specializing in helping women over 60, explains that GoBankingRates’s methodology took into account dozens of characteristics in nine different categories, principally weighted in low crime rateswith 65% of the crime score representing violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery and assault) and 35% property crimes (theft and burglary)and average single-family home valuations according to Zillow.
“The researchers used several sources [including the U.S. Census, Zillow, the FBI and Sperling’s BestPlaces] to gather data on livability: how much people spend on groceries, housing and health care; how much retirement income the average household has; and the expense of senior housing,” explains Brandon Blakeley, co-founder and chief technology officer of Mirador Living, which provides resources to help seniors decide on the best place to live. “Housing costs were calculated using home prices, typical down payments and average mortgage rates. They also checked crime rates to see how often violent crimes and property crimes happen in each city. Each aspect contributed equally to the final ranking for the cities.”
Which is the safest town to retire in?
The safest city to retire in may be one you’ve never heard of: Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburban town located 6 miles north of Tucson. “Through its excellent safety, affordability and comfort, Oro Valley creates an ideal haven for retirees,” Blakeley says.
What makes Oro Valley the safest place to retire?
Oro Valley is a growing city. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,070, an increase from 29,700 in 2000. This Arizona town appeals to people of all ages, but it’s a magnet for retirees, and 30% of the population is over 65. Here’s what makes it the safest city to retire in.
Low crime rates
The violent crime rate per 1,000 residents is 0.57, and the property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 11.41. This makes Oro Valley extremely safe, especially considering its proximity to Tucson, the second-largest city in the state, where the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents was 473.5 in 2020. For comparison, that’s 4.73 per 1,000 residents.
Relative affordability
Your dollars carry different weight, depending on where you live, and how much money you need for retirement varies wildly by city and state. The average retirement income in Oro Valley is $52,098, which is fairly reasonable and only about $4,000 more than the most affordable place to retire in the U.S., according to another study from GoBankingRates.
“The town’s average retirement income of $52,098 is close to the national median but is especially notable when compared to its lower cost-of-living,” Blakeley says.
Exceptional livability
Oro Valley is recognized as a resort city and has a livability score of 81. “Livability scores measure raw data yet also include area resident reviews, so it’s possible that Oro Valley residents’ reviews weighed heavily therein,” Morrison points out, adding that for retirees, key areas of focus include air quality, hospitals, public transportation, nearby amenities and the overall cost of living, with schools and employment lagging by comparison.
What other cities rounded out the top 10?
When looking at the top 30 locations in GoBankingRates’s study, some trends emerge. Twelve of the safest and wealthiest retirement towns are in California, and six are in Arizona. But there’s more geographic diversity when looking at the cities rounding out the top slots. Morrison offered her insights on the rest of the top-10 list, which you can read below.
2. Pinehurst, North Carolina, has the lowest property-crime rate (a score of 3.40) and the second-lowest violent-crime score (0.43) while ranking No. 4 in single-family average home valuation ($542,557).
3. Bella Vista, Arkansas, is an algorithmic head-scratcher. Though it has the second-lowest property-crime score (3.81), it scored next to last in livability (No. 65) and ranked third highest in violent crime (a score of 1.48).
4. Rancho Palos Verdes, California, scored the highest for average single-family home valuation (a whopping $1.9 million) and average retirement income ($72,238). But notice the lowest livability score (58).
5. Georgetown, Texas, has the second-highest livability score (83) and the fifth-highest average single-family home valuation ($442,904), yet it is ranked second worst in violent crimes (with a score of 1.59).
6. Centerville, Ohio, ranks No. 1 in livability, boasting a rock-solid score of 84. While the city has the third lowest violent-crime score (0.47), it does rank second highest in property crime (a score of 14.01).
7. Mesquite, Nevada, sports the fourth highest livability score (76) and ranks sixth highest in single-family average home valuation ($406,306), but it ranks third highest in property crime (with a score of 11.97).
8. Lincoln, California, has the second-highest average single-family home valuation ($646,552), fourth-highest average retirement income ($47,966) and fourth lowest property crime score (6.91).
9. Prescott, Arizona, ranks third in the average single-family home valuation ($614,569) and seventh in livability (a score of 72), yet it scores the highest (3.51) for violent crime.
10. Huntley, Illinois, boasts the single lowest violent crime score (0.42), ranks third lowest in property crime (a score of 5.19) and ties for fifth place in livability (a score of 73).
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Sources:
- Debra L. Morrison, certified financial planner and founder and chief navigating officer of Women Navigating Finances; email interview, December 2024
- Brandon Blakeley, co-founder and chief technology officer of Mirador Living; email interview, December 2024
- GoBankingRates: “America’s 30 Safest and Wealthiest Retirement Towns”
- University of Arizona: “Statistics on Public Safety in Tucson, Arizona”
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