Retiring to Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is one of Arizona's most popular places to retire. Arizona doesn't tax Social Security, pensions and IRA withdrawals are taxed at a flat 2.5%, and property taxes are low. Add mild seasons, golf and trails, a regional hospital and VA medical center in town, and Mayo Clinic about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Why so many people retire to Prescott
Prescott draws more retirees than young families, and it's easy to see why. Here's what my clients tell me sealed the deal.
Retiree-friendly taxes
No state tax on Social Security, a flat 2.5% income tax on pensions and IRA withdrawals, and a median property tax rate around 0.46% in Yavapai County.
A climate you can enjoy all year
Upper-80s summers with cool nights, golden falls, and winters with a little snow that melts in a day or two. You can golf and hike nearly year-round.
Healthcare close to home
A regional hospital and a VA medical center in town, with Phoenix's major medical centers, including Mayo Clinic, about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
A real community
Festivals on the Courthouse Square, Christmas traditions, clubs, churches, pickleball groups, and neighbors who actually know each other.
Golf & club life
Private clubs like Talking Rock, Capital Canyon Club and Prescott Lakes, plus public golf at Antelope Hills.
Close to family
Direct United flights from Prescott to LA and Denver, and Phoenix Sky Harbor about 1 hour 45 minutes away for everywhere else.
Healthcare & hospitals in Prescott
Dignity Health · Yavapai Regional Medical Center
Our regional hospital. The West Campus in Prescott is a full-service hospital and trauma center with the James Family Heart Center and a well-known joint replacement program. The East Campus in Prescott Valley offers breast care, infusion, wound care and more.
Bob Stump VA Medical Center
The main campus of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, right here in Prescott off Highway 89, with a 24/7 emergency department. It's a big plus for veterans retiring to Prescott.
Primary care & specialists
There are plenty of local practices. Popular doctors can have waitlists, so I always tell clients to call and get established as soon as you know you're coming.
Phoenix's major medical centers, including Mayo Clinic, are about an hour and 45 minutes away. That's the same drive as Sky Harbor Airport and a weekend in Scottsdale, so it's easy to pair a specialist visit with a little shopping and a nice dinner in the Valley.
Best Prescott neighborhoods for retirees
Every retiree is different. Some want a golf membership and a social calendar, others want acreage and quiet. These are the communities that come up most.
Golf & club living
- Talking RockGuard gated · Williamson Valley
- Hassayampa / Capital Canyon ClubGated · in the pines
- Prescott LakesResident membership · Dells views
Amenities & social life
- Hidden Valley RanchClubhouse, pool, pickleball
- Yavapai HillsClubhouse, near Costco & Trader Joe's
- Jasper (Prescott Valley)State-of-the-art clubhouse
Lock-and-leave
- Talking Rock golf cottagesSmaller, low-maintenance
- Timber RidgePatio homes, heated pools
- Estancia de Prescott½-acre custom homes
Walk to the Square
- Mt. Vernon StreetVictorian homes
- Park AvenueA mix of historic styles
Retiring to Prescott: quick answers
Is Prescott, AZ a good place to retire?
Yes. Prescott offers mild seasons, a walkable historic downtown, golf and trails, a regional hospital and VA medical center, and Arizona's retiree-friendly taxes, with Phoenix and Mayo Clinic about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Does Arizona tax Social Security?
No. Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits. Pensions and IRA or 401(k) withdrawals are taxed at Arizona's flat 2.5% rate.
How far is Prescott from Mayo Clinic?
Mayo Clinic in Phoenix is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Prescott by car.
What hospitals are in Prescott?
Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (West Campus in Prescott, East Campus in Prescott Valley) and the Bob Stump VA Medical Center, the main campus of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System.
What are the best neighborhoods in Prescott for retirees?
Popular choices include golf communities like Talking Rock, Hassayampa and Prescott Lakes, amenity-rich communities like Hidden Valley Ranch and Yavapai Hills, lock-and-leave options, and historic homes within walking distance of the Square.
