This Underrated City in Ohio Offers Easy Travel and Affordable Living

When you picture your post-work years, do you see yourself going on frequent weekend getaways and quarterly trips to far-flung places? If so, you’ll want a retirement destination that makes travel easy, like Columbus, Ohio.

The Arch City may not be the first home base that comes to mind when you imagine a jet-setting lifestyle, but it can make a surprisingly effective launching pad for all kinds of adventures. Let’s explore what makes Columbus so promising for travel-hungry retirees.

Travel Accessibility

One of the foundations of Columbus’s travel-friendly infrastructure is its proximity to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Located just seven miles away and off the I-670 highway, it’s easily accessible for most Columbus residents.

The airport is served by 11 different airlines, including familiar names like American Airlines, Southwest, and United. Altogether, they provide direct flights to more than 50 destinations across the United States, such as Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, and Los Angeles.

Beyond convenient access to air transportation, Columbus also offers attractive geographic positioning, whether you’re looking to use it as a launchpad for air travel to the East Coast’s most interesting cities or grounded trips to nearby metropolitan areas.

For example, a flight to New York City should take less than two hours and cost less than a couple of hundred dollars in 2025. Meanwhile, major cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati are just a few hours away by car. And while Columbus no longer has a functioning train station, regular intercity bus service is available through Greyhound and FlixBus.

Cost of Living and Affordability

Your retirement destination’s affordability can have as much of an impact on your travel prospects as its proximity to transportation options. For instance, cities like Los Angeles and New York may offer plenty of airport options, but their high cost of living can erode your budget for trips.

Fortunately, Columbus is relatively easy on the wallet. The median monthly housing costs in Franklin County are just $1,308, while the average American pays $2,120. Similarly, the median home value in the county is $265,700, almost 40% less expensive than the national median of $416,900.

Food costs are also noticeably more affordable than they are in many other parts of the United States. The median household in Franklin County can expect to eat for just $653 per month. That’s a discount of over 20% compared to the median American, who pays roughly $832 per month.

Meanwhile, transportation expenses are close to typical. There’s roughly a $50 difference between what the typical Columbus resident and the average American pay to get around, with both spending around $1,100 per month.

Lifestyle Considerations for Retirees

No matter how much you like to travel, you’re probably going to spend a significant portion of your golden years at home. As a result, the ideal retirement destination shouldn’t just support your travel aspirations—it should also support a day-to-day lifestyle you enjoy.

Columbus is uniquely positioned to do that for those who want urban amenities without all the usual disadvantages of major metros, such as elevated costs, noise levels, and traffic. With a population of nearly a million people, Columbus is technically a big city, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like one.

This balance is core to its appeal. While wandering the Short North Arts District downtown, you might stumble into the Garden Theater—one of 551 arts establishments in the county—which puts on theatrical productions and cabarets year-round. But you’re just as likely to find yourself in the historic Goodale Park, 33 acres of peaceful grass and trails, complete with its own gazebo and an often duck-filled pond.

Speaking of parks, Columbus residents also get to experience all four seasons, allowing for every flavor of outdoor entertainment. In the spring, you can hike the Scioto Mile’s 175 acres of lush greenlands. In the winter, you can ski at the family-friendly Snow Trails Ski Resort, only an hour north of the city via the I-71.

Other Things To Consider

Columbus may have warm summers and snowy winters, but the weather tends to be relatively mild throughout them. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of only 84°F. Meanwhile, the month with the most snow is February, with an average snowfall of just 2.9 inches.

As important as climate is, health care is an even bigger consideration for many retirees. Fortunately, Columbus residents are never too far from a medical professional. There are more than 3,250 health care establishments in Franklin County, including 49 hospitals, such as the respected Ohio State University Wexner Medical Care Center.

You don’t need a car to get to your appointments either. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) operates 38 fixed bus routes in Columbus, with over 3,500 active transit stops and full service for disabled persons—who ride for free. Even if you have to pay, full-price rates are just $2 for two hours, $4.50 for a day, or $62 for 31 days.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a retirement destination that makes travel accessible and affordable, Columbus deserves serious consideration. Its central location, proximity to an international airport, and low cost of living make it an ideal home base for exploring the United States and beyond.

Columbus is also a city of charming balance, offering big-city amenities with small-town ease, and distinct seasons without extreme weather. If you’re interested in relocating, consider visiting a few times throughout the year to get a feel for the local lifestyle and travel accessibility.