Best counties to retire to in Ohio

On Feb 25, 2022

OHIO (Stacker) — Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply “location, location, location.” While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Ohio using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Ohio.

1 / 25Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Warren County

– Population: 229,132
– Median home value: $222,500 (78% own)
– Median rent: $1,061 (22% rent)
– Median household income: $87,125
– Top places to live: Mason (A+), Landen (A+), Five Points (A+)

2 / 25John Siegenthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Richland County

– Population: 121,100
– Median home value: $110,600 (67% own)
– Median rent: $682 (33% rent)
– Median household income: $49,547
– Top places to live: Lexington (A-), Ontario (B+), Shelby (B)

3 / 25Derek Jensen (Tysto) // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Van Wert County

– Population: 28,261
– Median home value: $104,900 (77% own)
– Median rent: $712 (23% rent)
– Median household income: $54,254
– Top places to live: Van Wert (B), Wren (A-), Ridge Township (B+)

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#22. Sandusky County

– Population: 59,029
– Median home value: $115,400 (73% own)
– Median rent: $701 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $54,089
– Top places to live: Fremont (B), Ballville (B), Clyde (B)

5 / 25Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Darke County

– Population: 51,513
– Median home value: $123,300 (73% own)
– Median rent: $673 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $55,620
– Top places to live: Versailles (A-), Greenville (B-), Union City (C+)

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#20. Lake County

– Population: 229,954
– Median home value: $156,200 (74% own)
– Median rent: $897 (26% rent)
– Median household income: $64,466
– Top places to live: Kirtland (A), Mentor (A), Willoughby (A-)

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#19. Delaware County

– Population: 201,135
– Median home value: $308,800 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,069 (19% rent)
– Median household income: $106,908
– Top places to live: Powell (A+), Sunbury (A-), Delaware (A-)

8 / 25Cindy Funk // Wikicommons

#18. Clark County

– Population: 134,726
– Median home value: $115,500 (66% own)
– Median rent: $749 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $50,873
– Top places to live: Enon (B), Holiday Valley (B-), New Carlisle (B-)

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#17. Stark County

– Population: 372,404
– Median home value: $134,300 (68% own)
– Median rent: $741 (32% rent)
– Median household income: $53,860
– Top places to live: North Canton (A), Uniontown (A-), Greentown (A-)

10 / 25Jack W. Pearce // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Trumbull County

– Population: 200,367
– Median home value: $102,600 (71% own)
– Median rent: $677 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $47,280
– Top places to live: Cortland (B+), Hubbard (B+), Howland Center (B+)

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#15. Monroe County

– Population: 13,942
– Median home value: $110,000 (78% own)
– Median rent: $593 (22% rent)
– Median household income: $45,289
– Top places to live: Jackson Township (B), Sardis (B-), Malaga Township (C+)

12 / 25Andre Carrotflower // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Geauga County

– Population: 93,843
– Median home value: $240,900 (86% own)
– Median rent: $818 (14% rent)
– Median household income: $82,303
– Top places to live: Bainbridge (A+), South Russell (A+), Chesterland (A-)

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#13. Summit County

– Population: 541,334
– Median home value: $146,800 (66% own)
– Median rent: $823 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $57,181
– Top places to live: Hudson (A+), Fairlawn (A+), Boston Heights (A+)

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#12. Hamilton County

– Population: 813,589
– Median home value: $155,400 (58% own)
– Median rent: $810 (42% rent)
– Median household income: $57,212
– Top places to live: Madeira (A+), Montgomery (A+), Blue Ash (A+)

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#11. Guernsey County

– Population: 39,111
– Median home value: $114,700 (71% own)
– Median rent: $669 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $45,917
– Top places to live: Cambridge (C+), Byesville (C+), Westland Township (B)

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#10. Montgomery County

– Population: 531,670
– Median home value: $119,800 (61% own)
– Median rent: $793 (39% rent)
– Median household income: $51,542
– Top places to live: Oakwood (A+), Centerville (A+), Kettering (A)

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#9. Crawford County

– Population: 41,821
– Median home value: $88,400 (70% own)
– Median rent: $640 (30% rent)
– Median household income: $44,971
– Top places to live: Crestline (B-), Galion (B-), Bucyrus (B-)

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#8. Tuscarawas County

– Population: 92,335
– Median home value: $132,100 (71% own)
– Median rent: $772 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $53,243
– Top places to live: Dover (A-), Bolivar (B+), New Philadelphia (B)

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#7. Mahoning County

– Population: 229,961
– Median home value: $105,400 (69% own)
– Median rent: $682 (31% rent)
– Median household income: $46,042
– Top places to live: Canfield (A+), Boardman (A), Poland (A)

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#6. Miami County

– Population: 105,371
– Median home value: $151,400 (71% own)
– Median rent: $767 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $61,041
– Top places to live: Tipp City (A), Troy (A-), Covington (B)

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#5. Greene County

– Population: 166,502
– Median home value: $173,000 (66% own)
– Median rent: $910 (34% rent)
– Median household income: $68,720
– Top places to live: Yellow Springs (A+), Beavercreek (A+), Bellbrook (A+)

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#4. Washington County

– Population: 60,426
– Median home value: $132,400 (74% own)
– Median rent: $668 (26% rent)
– Median household income: $50,021
– Top places to live: Marietta (B+), Belpre (B), Devola (B)

23 / 25Rona Proudfoot // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Erie County

– Population: 74,780
– Median home value: $139,900 (69% own)
– Median rent: $756 (31% rent)
– Median household income: $54,226
– Top places to live: Milan (A-), Huron (A-), Sandusky (B)

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#2. Noble County

– Population: 14,416
– Median home value: $100,500 (82% own)
– Median rent: $653 (18% rent)
– Median household income: $46,897
– Top places to live: Caldwell (C), Wayne Township (B), Olive Township (B-)https://49e36e172c8f849f4ac2b286e94da82d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

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#1. Ottawa County

– Population: 40,632
– Median home value: $152,000 (79% own)
– Median rent: $724 (21% rent)
– Median household income: $59,099
– Top places to live: Port Clinton (B+), Oak Harbor (B+), Curtice (B+)