Why Cincinnati Is One of the Best Places to Retire in 2025

Let’s be honest, retirement seems pretty out of reach for many people right now. In fact, nearly 50% of Americans don’t think it’s realistic to expect a comfortable retirement anymore. That’s why WalletHub’s new list of the Best & Worst Places to Retire in 2025 really stood out to me, especially because Cincinnati made the top 10. With everything from affordable living to solid healthcare and plenty to do, it’s nice to see a city that's close by that actually makes retirement feel possible.

Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash

What Makes a City Retirement-Friendly?

To help people find where they can actually afford to retire and still enjoy life, WalletHub analyzed over 180 cities across the U.S., ranking them on cost of living, healthcare, quality of life, and how easy it is to stay active and social. They pulled together 45 different factors, from how retirement-friendly the taxes are to the strength of the local health system, to give a better picture of where your money will go furthest.

Cincinnati Holds Its Own in the Top 10

WalletHub’s new list of the best and worst places to retire really shows how different the experience can be depending on where you live. Cities like Orlando, Scottsdale, and Minneapolis landed at the top thanks to things like affordable living, good healthcare, and plenty to do. On the other hand, places like San Bernardino, Stockton, and Bakersfield ended up at the bottom, mostly due to high costs and lower quality of life for retirees. What stood out to me most, though, was seeing Cincinnati in the top 10. It came in at number 8! It’s one of the few Midwest cities that made the cut, and it shows that you don’t have to move to Florida or Arizona to find a great place to retire. Cincinnati checks a lot of boxes without the big price tag.

Why Cincinnati Just Makes Sense for Retirement

Cincinnati might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of retirement, but maybe it should be. It’s affordable, not just “less expensive than New York” affordable. The healthcare here is solid, the neighborhoods are charming and walkable, and there’s no shortage of green space to enjoy a slower pace of life. Plus, there’s a real sense of community! People say hi to you on the street, and there's always something going on, from food festivals to live music. It’s a city with big-city perks but a small-town feel, which is the sweet spot when you're thinking about where to spend your next chapter.

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State-By-State Breakdown

Source: WalletHub

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