Oro Valley, AZ (December 19, 2024) — The rankings for America’s safest and wealthiest retirement towns have arrived — and surprisingly, no Florida locations made it into the top 30.

GOBankingRates determined the safest wealthiest cities for retirees by analyzing 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 age 65 or more were included. Each city’s livability score was sourced from AreaVibes, along with the average single-family home value from the Zillow Home Value Index for September 2024.

Key Findings: 

• Oro Valley, Arizona, ranks as the safest and wealthiest U.S. retirement town. Six more Arizona locations — Prescott, Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, Prescott Valley, Apache Junction and Bullhead City — received mentions in the top 30.
• Within the ranking, 12 of the safest and richest retirement towns are located 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.
• There were no Florida-based retirement towns in the top 30.

Keep reading to find out which retirement towns rank among the safest and wealthiest in the United States.

1. Oro Valley, Arizona

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.57
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 11.41
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $52,098
• Single family average home value: $525,380
• Livability score: 81

 2. Pinehurst, North Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.43
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.40
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $50,351
• Single-family average home value: $542,557
• Livability score: 73

 3. Bella Vista, Arkansas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.48
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.81
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $32,209
• Single-family average home value: $336,590
• Livability score: 65

 4. Rancho Palos Verdes, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.18
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 8.48
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $72,238
• Single-family average home value: $1,913,039
• Livability score: 58

 5. Georgetown, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.59
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 11.71
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $46,886
• Single-family average home value: $442,904
• Livability score: 83

 6. Centerville, Ohio

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.47
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 14.01
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $36,275
• Single-family average home value: $329,817
• Livability score: 84

 7. Mesquite, Nevada

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.89
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 11.97
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $39,396
• Single family average home value: $406,306
• Livability score: 76

 8. Lincoln, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.43
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 6.91
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $47,966
• Single-family average home value: $646,552
• Livability score: 67

 9. Prescott, Arizona

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.51
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 14.42
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $40,660
• Single-family average home value: $614,569
• Livability score: 72

 10. Huntley, Illinois

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.42
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.19
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $30,962
• Single-family average home value: $400,135
• Livability score: 73

 11. Aiken, South Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.22
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 34.40
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $40,311
• Single-family average home value: $259,767
• Livability score: 68

 12. Fort Lee, New Jersey

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.06
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 13.95
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $47,944
• Single-family average home value: $939,775
• Livability score: 88

 13. Lake Havasu City, Arizona

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.88
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 12.32
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $32,852
• Single-family average home value: $488,313
• Livability score: 63

 14. Scottsdale, Arizona

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.66
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 22.09
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $45,771
• Single-family average home value: $922,559
• Livability score: 82

 15. Laguna Woods, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.53
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.42
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $42,241
• Single-family average home value: $481,924
• Livability score: 73

 16. Walnut Creek, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.94
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 27.64
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $52,918
• Single-family average home value: $1,441,223
• Livability score: 77

 17. Prescott Valley, Arizona

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.61
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 9.31
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $30,927
• Single-family average home value: $461,185
• Livability score: 62

 18. Novato, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.17
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 16.78
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $47,540
• Single-family average home value: $1,190,655
• Livability score: 71

 19. La Quinta, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.83
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 24.34
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $50,039
• Single-family average home value: $769,008
• Livability score: 57

 20. Seal Beach, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.94
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 27.02
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $42,229
• Single-family average home value: $1,491,445
• Livability score: 61

 21. 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

 22. 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

 23. 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

 24. 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

 25. 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

 26. 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

 27. 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

 28. 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

 29. Palm Desert, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.78
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 36.27
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $48,118
• Single family average home value: $627,545
• Livability score: 51

 30. Palm Springs, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 5.75
• Property crime rate per 1,000 residents: 36.86
• Ages 65+ average retirement income: $46,012
• Single family average home value: $1,015,431
• Livability score: 65

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the country to find the safest and wealthiest city for retirees. Cities with a population percentage of ages 65 and over of at least 25% were sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each location, GOBankingRates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, housing units for residents ages 65 and over with owner costs as a percentage of household income under 30% and over 30%, percentage of households with retirement income, average retirement income for households with retirement income, and household median income — all sourced from the Census American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over was calculated. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous 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 average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for September 2024. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living was calculated. Using the Crime Data Explorer from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the property crimes and violent crimes were sourced. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was calculated for both property and violent crime rates. The property crime rate per 1,000 residents was scored and weighted at 1.00, the violent crime rate per 1,000 residents was scored and weighted at 1.00, the selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income for residents aged 65 and over were scored and weighted at 1.00, the percentage of households that receive retirement income was scored and weighted at 1.00 and the average retirement income for households whom receive retirement income was scored and weighted at 1.00. All the scores were summed and sorted to show the wealthiest and safest places to live for a retiree. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Nov. 8, 2024.

 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (Dec. 19, 2024) – NAI Horizon continues its strategic growth with the hiring of investment sales expert Anna Sepic, MRED, CAM. She joins the firm as a Senior Vice President specializing in investment sales for multifamily and land.

Sepic represents clients in land deals throughout Metro Phoenix as well as property in Metro Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff. Her extensive network of lenders, third party inspectors, architects and other industry contacts makes for a diverse referral network. Sepic previously served as a Vice President at LevRose Commercial Real Estate.

“Anna’s ‘clients first’ focus aligns perfectly with the approach we take at NAI Horizon,” said NAI Horizon Designated Broker Kelle Rice. “We’re thrilled to have someone with her experience and background on our investment sales team.”

Prior to joining LevRose in 2019, Sepic worked solely for her investment company, AMS Renatus Investing LLC which she opened in August 2011. Through AMS Renatus,

Sepic focused on renovating homes with a specialty in the repositioning of multifamily properties facing mismanagement and blight across Metro Phoenix, with expertise in

West Phoenix and Glendale. oversight included acquisitions, repositioning, management and dispositions for her companies. Grassroots community organizing, especially working with the refugee and Hispanic communities, was a critical component that led to tremendous success of the housing projects and leads to overall large-scale community revitalization of the surrounding neighborhoods.

A native of Chicago, Sepic is active in various community programs and boards. She was awarded the Business Impact Award by NAWBO for her for profit and non-profit work in 2018. She has gone through several leadership and development programs as the youngest graduate at the time, including the DPS Citizens Academy, the Phoenix Police Department Citizens Academy as well as the FBI Citizens’ Academy, and the MCAO Citizen Academy (2016).  She is a graduate of the Valley Leadership Advance Class No. 2 in 2016.

Sepic received the 2014 City of Phoenix “Volunteer Impact Award” from then Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Laura Pastor. This year she was a HUG award winner for One Step Beyond Inc. Sepic also served on the Board of Directors for the Maryvale Revitalization Corporation and worked with various community groups in the Canyon Corridor as well as the North Mountain Redevelopment area.

Sepic is a graduate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a Masters of Real Estate Development (MRED) in 2017. She completed her undergraduate degrees in just two and a half years (2011) with a double major and minor: BA in psychology, BS in justice studies and social inquiry, and a minor in English.

Away from the office Sepic enjoys spending time with her family and traveling internationally to Europe, where much of her family is still lives. She also enjoys cooking and baking with her daughter.

“With my experience in investment sales, I am honored to bring my expertise and dedication to NAI Horizon,” Sepic said. “I am committed to excellence and driven by results. I look forward to forging new partnerships and creating value for our clients.”

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Dec. 17, 2024 – James Waldrep was recently promoted to the position of Vice President, Controller for Moderne Communities. Waldrep was hired by the Scottsdale-based real estate investment and development firm in 2021 to fill the position of Assistant Controller. In 2023, he was promoted to Controller. As Vice President, Controller Waldrep will continue to oversee the financial operations for the company and will become more involved in strategic planning.

“James has proven a valuable part of the company,” states Randy Bury, founder and president of Moderne Communities. “He has a strong understanding of finance and accounting, which is an integral piece to what we do in our investment and development of projects and in helping to determine next steps.”

Waldrep is a Phoenix native, and a Northern Arizona University alum. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from NAU and a master’s in accountancy from ASU. Waldrep began his career in audit with a firm specializing in governmental and nonprofit accounting. Prior to joining Moderne Communities, he held positions as a staff accountant, senior accountant and analyst. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an active member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Moderne Communities has land investments, two build-to-rent communities actively leasing in Arizona, with another in planning. The company also invested and developed the first build-to-rent community in Nevada.

Moderne Communities is headquartered in Scottsdale. To learn more about Moderne Communities and its projects and services, visit modernecommunities.com.