6 Cheap, Beautiful Cities To Retire Where It Almost Never Rains

Retirement is supposed to be a time free of cares and full of enjoyment. Why not move somewhere the sun shines most days of the year, and you’re not worried about you’re going to pay your bills?

The cities on this list are known for their phenomenal weather and their low cost of living. Check them out to see which one will be your dream destination when you retire.

“Yuma gets sun 90% of the year with 13 hours of sunshine in the summer,” said Andy Cooper, a financial analyst and money-saving expert at CouponBirds.

Cooper went on to say that Yuma’s cost of living is 4% less than the national average. The average household spends $61,334 a year on expenses in the U.S., so in Yuma, you can expect to pay less than that.

The average cost of a house in Yuma is $339,900, compared with the national average of $441,000.

Redding is another city where you’ll see the sun most days of the year.

“It stays sunny 88% of the time, thanks to the geography there. The average summer temperature is in the mid-80s,” Cooper said.

While the cost of living is a bit higher than the national average — it is still California, after all — the average price of a house is still lower than the national average. On average, a home in Redding will cost you $439,000. It’s not much lower, but it is cheap for the state of California, where the average home costs $743,435.

Why not spend your retirement years hitting the slots in Sin City? There’s plenty of entertainment to soak up, and Cooper said rain definitely won’t be a concern.

“Summers in Nevada can be scorching, with an 85% sunny rate yearly,” he said. “The hot season lasts for 3.4 months, from June 2 to Sept. 15, with an average daily high temperature above 95°F. That’s 135 days exceeding 90°F per year.”

You’ll be spending a lot of time inside your house, which is right below the national average at $440,000. Cooper added that your cost of living is slightly higher than the country on average, but only by 1%. So, crank up the AC and enjoy your sunny days in Vegas.

El Paso has sun on 297 days of the year on average, with the winters having highs in the mid 60s. The cost of living in El Paso is a whopping 18% lower than the national average. Plus, the average price of a home is just $291,000.

“What this means is that a retiree is able to enjoy some nice weather and can move from another state or from another city into a market that is a fair bit cheaper,” said Sebastian Jania, director of Alberta Property Buyers. “What this allows them to do is… use the equity from their previous home to fund their retirement due to the more affordable home prices.”

If you’re still looking to see a little snow from time to time but enjoy mostly pleasant weather, Alamosa is the place for you. Alamosa enjoys 282 sunny days a year on average but still gets some snow during the winter.

The cost of living is cheaper than average in the United States, and you can get a house for $391,000 on average.

“Alamosa has a much lower price for real estate. It’s nearly 50% of the state average, which makes it a great place for retiring,” Jania said.

Another Arizona city makes the list, thanks to its very sunny climate.

“Tucson enjoys 85% [of the year being] sunny days, with warm winters,” Cooper said. “From May 24 to Sept. 16, you have an average daily high temperature above 94°F. That ‘s 147 days over 90°F per year.”

Though the cost of living is 4% higher than average in Tucson, the average home price is $379,900 — much lower than the national average home price.

Andrew Latham, a certified financial planner and managing editor at SuperMoney, added that Tucson also has great options for healthcare, which can be crucial for retirees.

“Tucson’s robust healthcare system is a significant asset, featuring leading hospitals like Banner-University Medical Center Tucson and Tucson Medical Center,” he said. “These hospitals are highly regarded for their range of services and medical specialties, providing residents with access to quality healthcare.”