15 Arizona Cities That Will Struggle the Most If Social Security Ends

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Arizona has several attractive qualities for retirees including mild weather (with the caveat of severe heat waves), beautiful natural scenery, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities and, in some areas, reasonable cost of living — at least when compared with, say, California.  

But what would retirement look like in The Grand Canyon State without Social Security benefits? In an exclusive new study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Arizona to find the 15 that will struggle the most if Social Security benefits were to end. 

15. Camp Verde

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 32.2% 
• Total annual cost of living: $55,430  
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $24,868   
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 49%

14. Oro Valley 

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 42.8%
• Total annual cost of living: $61,505 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $29,587 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 49.9%

13. Fountain Hills

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 39.1%
• Total annual cost of living: $76,910 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $28,709 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 51.3%

12. Bullhead City

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 32.6%
• Total annual cost of living: $46,744 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $22,397 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 52.9%

11. Lake Havasu City

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 41.1%
• Total annual cost of living: $59,341 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $24,745 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 52.9%

10. Apache Junction

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 38.1%
• Total annual cost of living: $51,106  
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $23,719 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 54%

9. Chino Valley

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 42.9%
• Total annual cost of living: $60,979 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $23,706 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 54.8%

8. Cottonwood

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 27.9%
• Total annual cost of living: $53,522 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $19,223 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 54.8%

7. Florence

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 48.8%
• Total annual cost of living: $48,110 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $27,438 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 56%

6. Prescott

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 43.9%
• Total annual cost of living: $68,762 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $25,672 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 56.7%

5. Payson

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 39.8%
• Total annual cost of living: $54,807 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $23,647 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 57.6%

4. Gold Canyon

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 53.4%
• Total annual cost of living: $59,593 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $32,475 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 64.4%

3. Sun City

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 61.5%
• Total annual cost of living: $48,202 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $25,346 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 85%

2. Green Valley

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 64.5%
• Total annual cost of living: $45,596 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $27,102 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 85.1%

1. Sun City West 

• Percentage of households with retirement income: 71.8%
• Total annual cost of living: $53,141 
• Average Social Security benefits for households that receive them: $28,190 
• Percentage of households receiving Social Security benefits: 87.1%

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Arizona to find the places that will struggle the most if Social Security benefits were to end. First, GOBankingRates found cities in Arizona using the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city a number of factors were found including: total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, household median income, number of households receiving Social Security benefits, number of households receiving retirement income, average Social Security benefits for households whom receive Social Security benefits, and average retirement income for households whom received retirement income — all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. Using the cost of living and mortgage costs, the total cost of living can be calculated. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30 year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and included as supplemental information. The cities were sorted to show the highest concentration of households that receive Social Security benefits as they represent the areas that will be most affected by the end of Social Security benefits. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 2, 2024. 

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