The Best Place to Retire: Ohio, Of Course

This was released by Ohio’s Department of Development in early March 2023. The Chamber Business Connection hopes to share additional retirement resources in future issues—stay tuned!

COLUMBUS – A respected voice in financial planning has determined what we already knew: Ohio is the best place to live, learn, work, play … and retire.

The Motley Fool company surveyed Americans to learn what they value in retirement and ranked the 50 states based on their responses. What did the Motley Fool learn? Ohio is No. 1.

“People who don’t live in Ohio might be surprised by these findings, but that’s because they don’t know Ohio,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “This simply confirms that Ohio is the best place to live in the Midwest – and the country.”

“Ohio is home to thriving cities and prosperous small towns and there is something for people of all ages,” said Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “Our low cost of living makes the state a great place for families and retirees alike. Possibly the best part of retiring in Ohio is our growing economy with new companies leaving the coasts and setting up shop here at record pace, which means your children and grandchildren can find a world-class education and a great career right here so you won’t have to get on a plane to visit your loved ones.”

The Motley Fool used their survey to find out what people 55 and older want in retirement. They came up with 16 factors and ranked each state based on those criteria, from quality of life, to health care quality, taxes, and more. Here’s what they said about Ohio: “Ohio quietly has a lot going for it, including very good scores in housing cost and non-housing cost of living.

It also has lower-than-average violent crime as well as reasonable taxes for retirees.”

Ohio clearly outpaced neighboring states in the rankings. Indiana was 10th, Pennsylvania 11th, Kentucky 13th, Michigan 15th, and West Virginia 32nd.

“Ohio has it all. It’s a great place to retire, to enjoy the outdoors, to raise a family, to go to school,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “If quality of life is important to you, you should live in the Buckeye State.”

There are so many reasons to call Ohio home. From a thriving economy and job market to affordability and family-friendly communities, you can find everything you want when you live in Ohio.