The Villages vs Sun City Arizona · 2026The Villages vs Sun City Arizona: Which Retirement Town Fits You?
Torn between The Villages in Florida and Sun City in Arizona? Here’s an honest side-by-side of costs, weather, taxes, golf and daily life, from a 22-year Arizona 55+ specialist.
By Jarl Kubat, founder of Arizona 55+ Communities Real Estate · West USA Realty · Updated November 2026
The Villages vs Sun City Arizona is one of the biggest choices in retirement. Both are famous, both are huge, and both promise golf, clubs and friends at every turn. Yet they feel very different once you live there. Del Webb built Sun City in 1960 as America’s first big active adult community. The Villages came later and grew into the largest one in the country.
Founder Jarl Kubat has spent 22+ years helping buyers in Arizona 55+ and retirement communities, and many of them toured The Villages first. So this guide is honest about both sides. Yes, we sell Arizona, but the right fit matters more.
The Villages vs Sun City Arizona at a glance
| The Villages, Florida | Sun City, Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 1970s, grew fast from the 1980s on | 1960, the original Del Webb Sun City |
| Size | Very large: more than 100,000 residents across many villages | About 27,100 homes in one town |
| Monthly community fee | An amenity fee of roughly $200 a month, plus bond payments in many newer villages | A $680 yearly recreation fee per household |
| One-time buyer fee | Varies by village | $5,500 capital fee plus a $500 transfer fee |
| Golf | Dozens of executive courses plus championship courses | 8 resident-owned courses, plus private clubs |
| Weather | Humid; mild winters, hot wet summers, hurricane season | Dry; mild winters, very hot summers, monsoon storms |
| State income tax | None | Flat 2.5%; Social Security not taxed |
| Home prices | Generally higher, especially in newer villages | Single-family homes from about $160K |
| Getting around | Golf carts everywhere | Golf carts allowed on many streets; mostly cars |
Figures for The Villages are general and change often; check The Villages’ own sources. Sun City figures are 2026 from the recreation centers and the Arizona Regional MLS.
Cost: where your money goes
Florida has no state income tax, and that’s a real plus. However, Arizona’s flat 2.5% is low, and Arizona doesn’t tax Social Security. Then there’s housing. Sun City is one of the most affordable 55+ towns in the country, and its yearly rec fee is far below a monthly amenity fee. Florida buyers also tell us home insurance costs have climbed fast. So for many retirees, the total monthly cost comes out lower in Sun City.
Want the full picture on fees? See our Arizona 55+ HOA fees guide.
Weather: humid heat vs dry heat
Both places have great winters. Summers are the trade-off. Florida summers are humid, with daily storms and hurricane season. Arizona summers are hotter on the thermometer but dry, with no hurricanes. Many Arizona owners travel or head north in July. If heat is your worry, read can you handle the Arizona heat?
Daily life and amenities
| The Villages | Sun City | |
|---|---|---|
| Social hubs | Town squares with nightly music | Eight rec centers with pools, fitness and hobby shops |
| Clubs | Thousands of clubs and groups | 120+ chartered clubs |
| Bowling, lakes and more | Many recreation centers | Two bowling centers, a 33-acre lake |
| Health care | Local hospitals and clinics | Banner Boswell Medical Center in town, Banner Del E. Webb next door |
Thinking about Sun City? We’ll show you the best homes in your budget and the rec centers in one morning.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Send Us a MessageWho each one fits best
You want the lowest prices, dry air, no hurricanes, low yearly fees and a quieter, established town.
Del Webb’s second Sun City, with nine golf courses and slightly newer homes.
See our guide to Arizona vs Florida vs Texas for retirement.
The Villages may fit you better if you love golf-cart living, want family nearby in the Southeast, or like the beach and humid green landscapes. That’s a fine choice. We’d just suggest you visit Sun City once before you decide.
A note from our founder
“A lot of my buyers toured The Villages first. They loved the energy, but the monthly fees, the insurance and the humidity gave them pause. When they walked a Sun City rec center and saw what a home costs here, the math made sense. Still, I always tell people to visit both and trust their gut.” — founder Jarl Kubat (22+ years)
See Sun City for yourself
Come in the winter, ride with us, and we’ll show you the rec centers, the golf and a few homes in your budget. Also see what residents love about Sun City AZ and the Recreation Centers of Sun City.
Still deciding between The Villages and Sun City?
Tell us what matters most to you. We’ll give you an honest answer and show you Sun City in person.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Send Us a MessageThe Villages vs Sun City Arizona: common questions
Is The Villages or Sun City Arizona cheaper?
For most buyers, Sun City Arizona is cheaper. Single-family homes start around $160,000, and the recreation fee is $680 a year per household. The Villages has a monthly amenity fee and higher home prices in many areas, although Florida has no state income tax.
Which is bigger, The Villages or Sun City?
The Villages is much bigger, with more than 100,000 residents. Sun City Arizona has about 27,100 homes and was the first large active adult community, opened by Del Webb in 1960.
Does Arizona tax Social Security?
No. Arizona does not tax Social Security, and its income tax is a flat 2.5%. Florida has no state income tax.
Which has better weather, The Villages or Sun City?
Both have mild winters. Sun City has dry, very hot summers with no hurricanes. The Villages has humid summers with frequent storms and a hurricane season.
Can you drive a golf cart in Sun City Arizona?
Yes, golf carts are common in Sun City and allowed on many streets, but most residents also drive cars. The Villages is built around golf-cart travel.
Community details, prices, distances and drive times are summarized for general guidance and can change. Fees, amenities, age rules and build status vary by community, so always verify with the association before you buy. Prices are the lowest single-family sale in the last 90 days from the Arizona Regional MLS as of October 25, 2026, unless noted. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent with West USA Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity.