The Pros and Cons of Retiring to Ohio

Ohio is a great state to live and work, offering some of the nation’s lowest living costs and plenty of recreation and entertainment. Active cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus deliver a wealth of cultural attractions, professional sports teams, museums, universities, and medical care. But what about Ohio as a place to retire?

While Ohio has its advantages, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when considering Ohio for retirement. Not everyone wants to keep shoveling driveways after a blizzard, or drive miles for healthcare. Still, its affordability and Midwestern charm may be appealing. Dive deeper into the pros and cons of retiring to Ohio.

Pros

Affordable Cost of Living

Ohio’s cost of living is relatively low compared to many other states in the US, which can be particularly beneficial for retirees on a fixed income. Sperling’s Cost of Living Index has Ohio coming in 17% cheaper than the national average. Housing is the best category for cost savings, as the median price ran about 38% less than median home prices in 2022. Residents also realize budget savings in healthcare and transportation.

One study projects a single adult would need an annual income of $28,123 after taxes to afford their essential living expenses. Two adults would need $46,442. That’s a lower figure for living in retirement, given the current average retiree spends about $50,000 a year.

In another testament to its affordability, U.S. News & World Report ranked Youngstown, Ohio, as the ninth best place to retire in the nation for 2023, primarily because of its low expenses. Notably, housing costs were 80% under the national average.

Even its largest city, Columbus, had a cost of living running 9% under the national average.

Access to Healthcare

You may not be thinking about healthcare yet, but you should. Rising healthcare needs and costs are a concern for retirees. Long-term facilities and emergency care can dwindle retirement savings. Plus, you want easy access to the care you need to stay healthy for as long as possible.

Luckily, Ohio is home to several top-ranked hospitals and medical centers. At the top are the Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. Both healthcare facilities provide retirees with high-quality medical services and specialty care.

In fact, US News & World Report ranked the Cleveland Clinic the fourth-best hospital overall in 2022. It was the best hospital for cardiology and second-best for geriatrics care, and it had national rankings in 13 other specialties!

Columbus’ Ohio State University Wexner Center may be the second-best in the state, but it also achieved national rankings in nine specialties, including cancer and ENT.

Cleveland’s other hospital system–University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center– followed up as the third best in the state, with individual Cleveland Clinic centers as 4-6th. The point is, as you age in Ohio, you’ll have access to multiple resources for the specialty and general medical care you need for living in retirement.

Affordable Housing

Whether you’re looking for an apartment, single-family home, duplex, or condo, Ohio’s real estate overall is considered affordable. The median price of a detached house in 2022 was $213,000, well below the national median price of $354,649! Keep in mind prices can vary depending on what amenities and features you are after (e.g., waterfront living, luxury condo).

However, even in big cities like Cincinnati, the housing tends to be more affordable than in similarly sized cities or by income-to-house price ratio, a sign of affordability.

Here’s what the major city median home prices were like in March 2023:

• Cleveland: $109,000 / 1,713 listings
• Cincinnati: $229,900/ 1,637 listings
• Columbus: $247,000 / 1,847 listings
• Akron: $120,000 / 842 listings
• Dayton: $127,700 / 1,025 listings
• Toledo: $105,000 / 805 listings

All these prices fall well under the $412,000 Q2 2024 nationwide average. Finding affordable housing is a focus for retirement, and Ohio has it in spades.

Plenty of Recreation

Ohio has it whether you’re into hiking, fishing, camping, or other outdoor activities. There are so many places to get outdoors that it’s hard to list them all. A few popular recreational areas:

Near Cleveland is Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an expansive area of waterfalls, wooded areas, and plenty of wildlife. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs through the national parks, so you can take a scenic train trip through nature while having a unique experience.

Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio offers hikers more than 30 miles of trails with stunning natural features, such as waterfalls and gorges.

Maumee Bay State Park, near Lake Erie, offers stunning lakeside views, fishing, boating, birdwatching, and more.

Explore the wooded trails of Mohican State Park in northeastern Ohio. Visitors come to float its meandering river and ride the mountain bike loop.

The Biggest Week in American Birding brings thousands to Magee Marsh in northwestern Ohio for the annual spring warbler migration, but Buck Creek State Park and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area are also popular places for birdwatching.

If you like to fish, Ohio has over 100 species, including bass, walleye, catfish, and trout. Find them in the state’s miles of streams and expansive reservoirs. Check out Buckeye Lake and Alum Creek.

Four-season Climate

Ohio experiences all four seasons, which can appeal to retirees who enjoy experiencing different weather conditions throughout the year. Summers are warm, with temperatures averaging in the high 80Fs. Winters can get cold, but they’re usually mild compared to other states in the Midwest. There’s generally plenty of snowfall for winter sports activities like skiing and snowboarding.

Professional Sports Teams

If you love catching a game in person or on TV, Ohio has multiple hometown favorites. Ohio’s professional sports teams include the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Indians (MLB), and Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL).

Football fans can follow the Cleveland Browns (NFL) or Cincinnati Bengals (NFL). And don’t miss the energetic Columbus Crew (MLS) games, where the bleachers taunt the away team the whole game.

In addition to pro sports, Ohio has a strong collegiate sports culture. The Ohio State University Buckeyes are one of the most popular teams in the state.  Fans from all over Ohio come to cheer them on at the Ohio Stadium, nicknamed the “Horseshoe.”

Cultural Scene

Ohio has a rich heritage, as you’ll discover in its museums, theaters, and performing arts venues. A few highlights of the extensive amenities available:

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame may be the most well-known outside the state, but that’s not all that draws visitors. The opulent Playhouse Square brings in performance artists while the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) catches the eye before you walk in.

The National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton is the world’s largest military aviation museum and home to more than 370 aerospace vehicles. It’s ranked as one of the state’s top attractions.

Did you know Ohio has its Amish Country? The southeastern area has the second-largest population of Amish and Mennonite adherents. The city of Berlin offers walking tours so you can explore this region’s heritage firsthand.

In Columbus, you’ll find the Wexner Center for the Arts, one of the country’s leading contemporary art museums. This is a city with plenty of art attractions, thanks to the fine arts college, the Franklinton Art District, and the fashion culture.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has consistently earned its place amongst the premier zoos in America. Its sister zoo, The Wilds in Cumberland, takes you on a safari to get up close with herd animals like giraffes, rhinos, and takins. The Cincinnati Zoo is equally engaging for the whole family, and its facilities include access to the historic botanical gardens.

With an awe-inspiring 1.8 million artifacts, the Cincinnati Museum Center inside the historic Union Terminal offers visitors a variety of educational and historical experiences. Tour multiple galleries and exhibitions to get a comprehensive view of science, history, and culture like never before!

Experience the beauty of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the nation’s sixth-largest historic home, open to the public. Located in Akron, the Manor House’s original furnishings and elegant details captivate visitors touring the five buildings across its 70-acre estate. The elaborate gardens provide an alluring backdrop to the stunning 64,000 sq ft home.

Low Crime Rates

Ohio’s property and violent crime rates typically fall below the national average. That was true in 2022 when the nation reported 390.8 violent crimes per 100,000 people, but Ohio reported 293,600. It’s also been trending downward for several years.  It in have the highest rate of property crime among the Midwestern states in 2022, but it’s also more populated than every state but Pennsylvania.

Broadview Heights, New Philadelphia, and Hamilton Township were some of the safest cities to live in Ohio based on their overall crime scores in 2023.

Small Town Communities

Ohio has it if you desire to live in a friendly community where neighbors still say “hello” and the pace of life isn’t rushed. Its small towns still have that Midwestern sense of community. Find charming Main Street America communities with classic downtown retail districts, holiday parades, and beautiful houses. Many still have what you need for your favorite hobbies: golf courses, community centers, adult recreation leagues, and parks with walking paths. Best of all, these are not expensive communities. They have the same affordable prices for basic amenities found across Ohio. Some great small towns in Ohio to check out include Chagrin Falls, Yellow Springs, Put-in-Bay, Athens, and Marietta.

Cons of Retiring in Ohio

You’ll never be at a loss for something to do in Ohio. Between excellent healthcare, plenty of outdoor recreation, low cost of living, and professional sports teams, retirees have extensive amenities that make Ohio stand out. But it’s not all parks and museums. Living in Ohio has its drawbacks.

Harsh winters

Although some retirees may enjoy experiencing all four seasons, Ohio winters can be particularly harsh. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice make outdoor activities or heading to doctor’s appointments more difficult.

January is typically the coldest and snowiest month. The further north and closer to Lake Erie you go, the more snowfall and cold you should get ready for. Cleveland can see about 18 inches of snowfall in January, but Cincinnati averages just seven. It’s also an average of four degrees warmer than Cleveland, with a high of 40F.

Politics and Diversity

“Where Ohio goes, so does the nation,” is the saying regarding major elections. Considered purple or a toss-up, Ohio is a politically divided state, with much of the population leaning towards conservative views. And in big election years, you can expect a lot of stumping from top candidates, lobbying, and campaign signs everywhere.

Some cities are more diverse than others, but it is not considered to be a progressive political climate.

Waterfront living

Retiring in Ohio means giving up living by the ocean. There are beautiful houses on lakefront, but they’re not as easy to find in Ohio. The only large body of water is Lake Erie, which does run over 300 miles along the northern border. Large reservoirs are scattered around the state, but nature preserves or parks surround many. 

This makes living by water more challenging unless you live near Cleveland or Toledo. Retirees who enjoy spending time at the beach or waterfront may need to travel to nearby states to do so.

Public transportation

While Ohio has some public transportation options, such as buses and trains, they may not be as extensive or convenient as in other states. That makes getting around more difficult for retirees who do not want to drive. The state is largely rural areas and small towns, requiring a car for your living in retirement.

Cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati have decent public transportation systems, but the schedules can be unreliable or insufficient for moving around town.

High state taxes

Ohio has relatively high state taxes compared to other states, which can impact retirees on a fixed income. The sales tax rate is 6.25%, and the income tax rate varies from 0.495%-4.997%, depending on your income level. Social Security is not be taxed, but any withdrawals from your traditional retirement accounts are. Any financial plan for living in Ohio for retirement should factor in taxes and withdrawals from the retirement portfolio.

Property taxes are notably high. Ohio’s just outside the top ten states for property tax burden, so while it won’t be as taxing as New Jersey or New York, you can expect to pay more in this area.

The scenery can be lacking

For those looking for a more aesthetically pleasing retirement, Ohio may disappoint. The state is primarily hilly along its borders, with some rivers and lakes thrown in, but not much stands out. The central part of the state is particularly flat. It makes for great farmland, but not so much in the way to look at it.

Natural beauty isn’t the biggest draw of living here compared to other states. There is some beautiful scenery in specific regions–Hocking Hills State Park and Lake Erie come to mind–but these are pockets of the state.

The Final Verdict on Retiring in Ohio

Consider Ohio if you’re looking for a place to retire with a low cost of living, lots of recreational opportunities, and access to excellent healthcare services. You’ll have something to do all year with four-season weather, professional sports teams, and various cultural activities.

However, suppose you’re looking for more diverse politics, a year-round warm climate, or waterfront living opportunities. In that case, this state may not be the best option. Also, the high property taxes and the lack of public transportation can be a drawback as your age is in place. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding if Ohio fits you. Consult with a professional for financial advice to set yourself up for living in retirement.

Updated September 2024

FAQs

What are some of the best cities to retire in Ohio?

The answer will largely depend on the lifestyle you want in retirement. Your decision may be influenced by proximity to family, healthcare providers, or affordable prices. Ohio’s many cities and towns tend to have a low cost of housing, but some neighborhoods do run more. However, these are often close to desirable amenities like public transportation, community centers, and entertainment. Some charming communities that pop up again and again as top retirement cities in Ohio are:

• Shaker Heights
• The Village of Indian Hill
• Rocky River
• Beachwood
• Maple Heights
• Dayton
• Centerville
• Garfield Heights