The 10 Best Places to Retire in Ohio

If you enjoy having all four seasons in your life and humidity that doesn’t hit double digits (like a certain state that starts with an F), then Ohio could be the perfect place to retire. To that end, NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the top 10 cities for retirees in Ohio. You can find the Ohio city that fosters your ideal lifestyle, the perfect retirement community, and a new home for your new life.

Top 10 Cities to Retire in Ohio

1. Youngstown

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%
Median Home Value: $44,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 447
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,157
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11

Youngstown is the perfect retirement destination for people who want to enjoy urban living at an affordable price point. Located in eastern Ohio along the Pennsylvania border, Youngstown offers a host of great restaurants, shops and museums, along with a comfortable cost of living.

2. Warren

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.4%
Median Home Value: $61,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 212
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,478
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11

Just up the road from Youngstown, Warren offers the best of small-town living with all the urban amenities. Retirees can kick back and relax here with plenty of local museums and parks to keep active adults entertained and engaged with their community.

3. Lima

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.8%
Median Home Value: $66,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 259
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,493
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6

Reconnect with nature during your retirement when you call Lima home. While it’s not the Lima of Peru, the Lima of the Midwest does have its own striking natural scenery, including tranquil lakes and the Lippincott Bird Sanctuary. Lima’s parks make it easy for active adults to stay healthy thanks to miles of trails and plenty of boating opportunities in the town.

4. Maple Heights

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.3%
Median Home Value: $68,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 55
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 395
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 34

Maple Heights is a delightful suburb of Cleveland that gives retirees the best of all possible worlds. There’s easy access to Cleveland’s many amenities and lakeside entertainment along Lake Erie. Then you can come home to the peaceful neighborhoods of Maple Heights.

5. Dayton

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.7%
Median Home Value: $66,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 1,351
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 5,673
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 16

Dayton is a great place for retirees who love to spend their nights on the town. This city has something for everyone, including Broadway theater, live music, art exhibits, comedy clubs, and a cinema. Residents enjoy supporting local and independent businesses through the city’s Downtown Dollars, an e-gift card that can be used at more than 70 businesses in the downtown area.

6. Ashtabula

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.5%
Median Home Value: $72,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 11
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 131
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5

Ashtabula gives active adults the best of lakeside living at an affordable price. This delightful community on the shores of Lake Erie lets residents enjoy life on the Great Lakes, with plenty of boating, swimming, and beautiful views. The community also has beautiful parks and trails to explore, including the Western Reserve Greenway Trail.

7. Trotwood

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.6%
Median Home Value: $72,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 133
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 659
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 14

Nature lovers will love retired life in Trotwood. This scenic Dayton suburb features beautiful vistas full of local wildlife. Miles of hiking trails wind through the town, ensuring that residents can stay active and healthy. Trotwood is also near the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm and Sycamore State Park.

8. Garfield Heights

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.5%
Median Home Value: $72,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 108
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 622
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 32

You can invest in the retirement you’ve dreamed about in Garfield Heights. This peaceful Cleveland suburb lets you kick back and enjoy good times with good company thanks to the low cost of living and residential setting. Easy access to Cleveland and Akron as well as Lake Erie means you’ll always have something new to try.

9. Canton

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.6%
Median Home Value: $71,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 981
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,712
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11

Canton is a historical city with plenty of charm. This lovely community surrounds retirees with picturesque scenery, while also offering a wealth of urban amenities. Local art and history museums, as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, ensure that residents will always have something to explore in Canton.

10. Marion

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.4%
Median Home Value: $74,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 106
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 878
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 7

Retiring in Marion means being surrounded by a deep respect for history. This city is home to numerous memorials and museums that focus on different parts of the city’s history. Most notable are the World War II memorial, the President Warren G. Harding Memorial and Home, the Heritage Hall and Old Post Office, and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. Marion also hosts the Marion Popcorn Festival to celebrate its claim to the Popcorn Capital of the World title.

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare, and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.

Is Ohio a good state for retirees?

Yes, Ohio is a good state for retirees. Its low cost of living and fun cities means that you can enjoy your favorite hobbies during your retirement at a price point that works for your budget.

How are pensions taxed in Ohio?

While Social Security benefits are exempt from Ohio state income tax, income from pensions or retirement accounts are taxed like normal income.

retire - ohio

city name	people over 65	violent crimes	property crimes	access to doctors	median home price
Akron	14.80%	1,786.00	6,646.00	16	$82,400
Columbus	10.20%	4,577.00	30,351.00	22	$151,600
Cleveland	14.00%	5,800.00	17,107.00	26	$69,600
Cincinnati	12.20%	2,562.00	13,073.00	29	$138,000
Toledo	14.10%	2,609.00	9,594.00	10	$80,800
Dayton	12.70%	1,351.00	5,673.00	16	$66,800
Parma	19.00%	114.00	769.00	32	$115,500
Canton	14.60%	981.00	3,712.00	11	$71,100
Youngstown	17.30%	447.00	2,157.00	11	$44,800
Lorain	15.80%	289.00	1,437.00	10	$87,300
Hamilton	15.40%	265.00	2,228.00	24	$107,200
Springfield	17.00%	292.00	2,992.00	13	$80,700
Kettering	18.40%	56.00	794.00	16	$133,800
Elyria	15.40%	137.00	921.00	14	$99,100
Lakewood	12.40%	62.00	650.00	29	$158,100
Cuyahoga Falls	17.40%	50.00	980.00	20	$127,600
Middletown	15.90%	206.00	1,459.00	24	$97,700
Dublin	12.20%	26.00	428.00	22	$377,500
Mansfield	17.00%	187.00	1,996.00	9	$79,600
Newark	15.70%	149.00	1,676.00	5	$123,100
Beavercreek	18.60%	33.00	1,193.00	16	$194,400
Mentor	22.70%	63.00	703.00	23	$172,400
Euclid	17.10%	244.00	1,291.00	25	$82,600
Strongsville	20.90%	19.00	591.00	33	$206,300
Cleveland Heights	16.30%	96.00	702.00	26	$128,700
Fairfield	16.40%	84.00	879.00	30	$159,300
Grove City	15.10%	41.00	1,193.00	21	$188,300
Warren	17.40%	212.00	1,478.00	11	$61,200
Findlay	16.80%	106.00	902.00	7	$136,700
Delaware	12.00%	60.00	477.00	21	$186,900
Lancaster	18.40%	110.00	1,540.00	7	$125,900
Huber Heights	15.40%	76.00	890.00	15	$112,100
Marion	14.40%	106.00	878.00	7	$74,600
Westerville	19.40%	74.00	767.00	21	$237,300
Reynoldsburg	12.80%	73.00	989.00	22	$160,800
Brunswick	15.80%	17.00	189.00	32	$169,200
Stow	17.80%	15.00	537.00	21	$181,400
Upper Arlington	17.10%	12.00	366.00	10	$397,300
Hilliard	11.70%	26.00	242.00	22	$238,600
Fairborn	14.40%	88.00	627.00	22	$118,100
Lima	12.80%	259.00	1,493.00	6	$66,600
Gahanna	15.30%	44.00	719.00	21	$216,100
Westlake	24.00%	11.00	318.00	27	$258,600
North Olmsted	20.60%	9.00	393.00	26	$156,400
Massillon	19.50%	72.00	743.00	12	$102,100
North Royalton	19.30%	17.00	123.00	32	$208,600
Bowling Green	10.20%	46.00	628.00	12	$168,000
North Ridgeville	19.10%	13.00	112.00	21	$182,300
Kent	10.50%	30.00	413.00	18	$146,700
Garfield Heights	16.50%	108.00	622.00	32	$72,700
Shaker Heights	18.40%	22.00	213.00	27	$229,500
Medina	14.80%	29.00	258.00	20	$175,200
Mason	14.00%	10.00	218.00	25	$267,300
Wooster	18.60%	110.00	738.00	7	$143,100
Barberton	19.10%	69.00	689.00	15	$86,800
Sandusky	17.20%	74.00	925.00	7	$86,600
Xenia	17.90%	74.00	676.00	15	$100,500
Green	17.70%	29.00	353.00	13	$201,200
Zanesville	17.60%	89.00	1,071.00	4	$79,600
Riverside	16.30%	25.00	288.00	16	$90,300
Troy	16.60%	23.00	433.00	15	$139,200
Athens	4.90%	16.00	398.00	3	$191,700
Trotwood	20.60%	133.00	659.00	14	$72,400
Avon Lake	20.30%	9.00	108.00	18	$256,400
Centerville	28.10%	15.00	285.00	16	$186,900
Solon	16.80%	11.00	220.00	31	$286,200
Avon	15.30%	7.00	81.00	20	$296,900
Maple Heights	13.30%	55.00	395.00	34	$68,200
South Euclid	16.00%	27.00	586.00	26	$100,200
Willoughby	20.70%	19.00	321.00	22	$152,700
Hudson	16.80%	6.00	117.00	29	$345,500
Marysville	11.70%	14.00	351.00	13	$190,600
Chillicothe	20.00%	103.00	1,575.00	5	$116,800
Alliance	17.60%	28.00	558.00	11	$81,400
Wadsworth	17.70%	15.00	413.00	16	$171,200
Oxford	6.60%	46.00	578.00	9	$217,100
Sidney	14.90%	39.00	631.00	5	$111,100
Parma Heights	20.90%	13.00	248.00	32	$116,500
Perrysburg	14.50%	3.00	123.00	9	$224,000
Piqua	16.20%	48.00	768.00	4	$87,100
Ashland	19.50%	33.00	384.00	7	$109,300
Oregon	20.90%	45.00	645.00	10	$144,000
Portsmouth	16.50%	122.00	985.00	3	$78,400
Rocky River	24.00%	4.00	63.00	29	$245,800
Miamisburg	18.00%	40.00	264.00	17	$144,600
Lebanon	13.80%	44.00	346.00	26	$183,500
Painesville	10.00%	50.00	271.00	18	$103,300
Broadview Heights	16.50%	2.00	19.00	32	$228,500
Niles	21.30%	70.00	465.00	11	$85,200
Norwood	10.40%	57.00	698.00	30	$135,200
Mayfield Heights	23.90%	12.00	232.00	25	$145,400
Sylvania	20.90%	13.00	166.00	12	$178,800
Twinsburg	18.90%	17.00	92.00	31	$218,200
Steubenville	20.30%	33.00	803.00	10	$90,300
Forest Park	13.90%	31.00	277.00	15	$112,400
Berea	16.90%	9.00	81.00	31	$138,200
Brook Park	20.70%	22.00	219.00	30	$118,400
Pickerington	9.20%	29.00	222.00	20	$218,400
Eastlake	17.90%	12.00	327.00	23	$133,000
Ashtabula	16.50%	11.00	131.00	5	$72,200
city name	people over 65	violent crimes	property crimes	access to doctors	median home price

Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within 25 miles of the city.

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Jessi Gonzalez

Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.