Retiring in Arizona: what taxes actually cost you
The short answer
On $80,000 of retirement income, Arizona costs about $5,154 a year across state income, property and sales tax. That ranks 11 of 51, or $1,481 below the median state. State income tax alone is $1,338, which is 1.7% of gross income.
Run it on your own numbers
The figures above use a reference profile. Change them and every number on this page moves, including the ranking.
How Arizona treats retirement income
Arizona uses a flat 2.5% income tax, so the rate is the same on the first dollar and the last.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension income
Taxed as ordinary income
401(k) and IRA withdrawals
Taxed above $2,500
Capital gains
Taxed at a reduced 2.5%
Property tax
Averages 0.66% of assessed value, so $2,640 a year on a $400K home.
Sales tax
State rate of 5.6%, before any local addition.
Worth knowing: Social Security exempt. $2,500 exemption on retirement income.
Where Arizona sits against the rest
The spread across all 51 runs from $3,280 in Wyoming to $14,004 in Connecticut, a difference of $10,724 a year on the same income.
Five cheapest on these numbers
| State | Total tax |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $3,280 |
| Nevada | $3,639 |
| Colorado | $4,009 |
| Tennessee | $4,310 |
| Louisiana | $4,678 |
Five most expensive on these numbers
| State | Total tax |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $14,004 |
| New Jersey | $12,953 |
| Vermont | $12,755 |
| Kansas | $11,108 |
| Minnesota | $10,888 |
Worth keeping in proportion. The gap between the best and worst state here is real money, but it is smaller than the gap between two housing markets, and it is far smaller than the effect of your withdrawal rate. Safe withdrawal rate covers that one.
Common questions
Does Arizona tax Social Security?
No. Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. Federal tax on benefits still applies depending on your combined income.
How much tax would a retiree pay in Arizona?
On $80,000 of retirement income with a $400,000 home and $70,000 of annual spending, Arizona works out at roughly $5,154 a year across income, property and sales tax. That ranks 11 of 51, against a median of $6,635.
Does Arizona tax 401(k) and IRA withdrawals?
Yes, above an exemption. Arizona allows $2,500 of retirement income to be excluded. Withdrawals above that are taxed as ordinary income.
Is Arizona a good state to retire in for taxes?
Cheaper than most states. On the reference profile it costs $1,481 less than the median state, and $1,874 more than Wyoming, which is the cheapest. Tax is one input though. Cost of living, housing and proximity to family usually move a retirement budget further than the tax code does.
Retirement taxes in another state
Related: Taxes in retirement, Withdrawal order, Roth conversions, All 51 states.