Columbus ranked No. 1 for retirement affordability, safety by finance website

COLUMBUS, Ind. - In a recently published Travel + Leisure article, Columbus was named the safest and most affordable place to retire in 2026, according to a new ranking by personal finance website GoBankingRates. The study reviewed crime rates, housing costs, and retirement income tax data across the USA.

GoBankingRates estimates the income needed to purchase a home in Columbus at $68,948; Zillow lists the average home value at $281,533. The city also boasts a low crime rate with just seven violent crimes per 100,000 residents.

“Columbus has always worked to maintain a safe, welcoming community, and it’s encouraging to see that reflected in this ranking,” Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon said. “We’re grateful for the residents, organizations, and partners who help make Columbus a place where people of all ages can enjoy a high quality of life.”

City leaders recently launched a major downtown revitalization effort, including improvements to the Fourth Street entertainment district, Washington Street, and the Avenue of the Architects on Fifth Street. Columbus, known as “the Athens of the Prairie,” is home to seven National Historic Landmarks and an extensive collection of modernist architecture and public art.

Retirees can access nearly two dozen parks, 23 miles of trails, and the senior-friendly Greenbelt Golf Course. Columbus Regional Hospital provides full-service care alongside multiple outpatient clinics.

Dalton, Georgia, ranked second on the GoBankingRates list, followed by Eagle Pass, Texas. Most of the eight cities are in the South and Midwest, with Altoona, Pennsylvania, the lone exception.

Read the article here.