Columbus, Ohio
Average housing cost: $826
Population age 65 or older: 8.6 percent
Walkability score: 41
Safety score: 8
A low cost of living combined with a healthy job market makes Ohio’s capital city, Columbus, an ideal place to retire. Located in the central Midwest, Columbus offers plenty of ways for seniors to stay busy. A string of parks run along the Scioto River, called the Scioto Mile, which contains 175 acres of trails, biking paths, an Audubon and various outdoor activities. The region also provides a top-ranked medical system at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Rental prices are a little higher in Columbus than in fellow Ohio city, Cincinnati, which has an average housing cost of $767 per month. But statistics show Columbus has a relatively lower crime rate than Cincinnati, as indicated by the safety scores of each city — 8 and 2, respectively.