Maricopa, AZ 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Homebuyers looking for 55+ communities in Maricopa will enjoy many options in this Central Arizona location. Maricopa is popular for retirees looking for year-round warm weather, plentiful outdoor recreation, and small community events. In addition, residents can easily access all of the amenities of nearby Phoenix.

Climate & Geography

Maricopa is a southern suburb of Phoenix with a hot desert climate. Summers are long, dry, and very warm with a small amount of rain in late summer. Winters are short and mild with no snow. Residents can expect 296 days of sunshine each year, on average.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Maricopa and its surrounding areas offer residents plenty of outdoor recreation. The Sonoran Desert National Monument offers multiple hiking and horseback riding trails. Lake Park, Jane Askew Memorial Park, Copper Sky Park, and Pacana Park in the city also have gazebos, picnic areas, and community events.

Local festivals include the Maricopa Salsa Festival, Fishing Derby, Founder’s Day Celebration, and Holiday Homes on Parade. There are also several Farmers Markets in nearby cities, as well as a monthly market in Maricopa focusing on purchasing healthy food.

The Ak-Chin Reservation just outside the city has a casino with restaurants and live music as well as the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.

Residents looking for high-end shopping, upscale dining, and entertainment can head to Phoenix, just an hour away.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Maricopa’s cost of living is just slightly above the national average, but below Arizona’s average. Nearly every index hovers above the national average, including housing, health care, utilities, and groceries.

Arizona is moderately tax friendly for retirees. While it does not tax Social Security, all other forms of retirement income are fully taxed. Property taxes tend to be lower than the national average, but Maricopa’s combined sales tax of 9.2 percent is among the highest in the country. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt from this tax.

Health Care

55+ communities in Maricopa are part of the Phoenix metro area which generally scores well on Gallup’s Well-Being Index. It rank in the top 50 communities across the country while Arizona ranks in the top 15 states.

Although there are no hospitals in Maricopa, the closest hospital is Chandler Regional Medical Center, which U.S. News ranks as the No. 5 hospital in Arizona as well as high performing in six procedures and conditions. Other high performing hospitals include Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert and Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa.Phoenix has three nationally ranked hospitals: St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, and Mayo Clinic-Phoenix.