Overview
Located in Southern Arizona, Oracle is the perfect retirement location for active adults interested in a small-town atmosphere with access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and a unique, local culture.
Climate & Geography
In Oracle, residents experience hot, dry summers, and short, mild winters with very rare overnight frost. While the high-desert area does receive some snow and rainfall, precipitation is much lower than the national average, and there are about 288 sunny days throughout the year.
The terrain surrounding Oracle is mostly made up of flat, arid desert grasslands. There are rolling foothills to the south, leading up to the peak of Mt. Lemmon.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Whether residents are interested in history and science, art and culture, or outdoor recreation, Oracle delivers with many activities. For retirees who enjoy being outdoors, Oracle offers residents the 800+ mile Arizona Trail, the historical Oracle Ridge Hiking Trail, or nearby Catalina State Park. Active adults can birdwatch, hike, camp, or mountain bike in the parks.
Within the community, the Oracle Piano Society hosts an annual musical festival, programs, and performances. At the Rancho Linda Vista Artists Community, retirees can visit a public gallery with local exhibits. Residents of Oracle can search the local markets and shops to find hidden gems, locally produced goods, and collector’s items.
Tucson is just an hour drive away from Oracle, and Phoenix is just under two hours away, providing ideal opportunities for day trips or weekend getaways.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Oracle is lower than the state and national average. Housing costs are well below average, while all other indexes—groceries, health care, utilities, and transportation—are close to the national average.
Arizona is somewhat tax friendly for retirees, depending on the source of their retirement income. Social Security benefits are exempt from state taxes but all other forms of retirement income, such as retirement savings accounts, are fully taxed at rates ranging from 2.59 percent to 4.54 percent. Government pensions are eligible for an annual deduction, but all other pensions are subject to the full income tax. The combined sales tax in Oracle is 7.2 percent.
Health Care
Although there are no hospitals in Oracle, Oro Valley Hospital located nearby in Oro Valley is rated high performing by U.S. News in three procedures and conditions. The hospital is also ranked No. 2 in Tucson and No. 10 in Arizona.