Retiring in Columbus, IN

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

85°/24°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$281,810

Housing (Typical Value)

65.5

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

4 of 5

Healthcare (Hospital Rating)

Is Columbus Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 51,104, Columbus offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower housing costs
Lower violent crime
Lower property crime
Strong hospital access
Moderate city size
Low hurricane risk
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk
Low ice storms risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Wet climate

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 85°F. The typical home value is $281,810, 24% below the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $1,135 per month, 19% below the $1,400 per month US median. The reported violent crime rate is 65.5 per 100,000, 82% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 1262.8 per 100,000, 28% below the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. The nearest hospital is Columbus Regional Hospital, 2.8 miles away. Its CMS quality rating is 4 of 5. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to hurricane, wildfire, earthquake and ice storms.

Potential tradeoffs. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)85°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)24°F

Annual snowfall16.3"

Annual precipitation47.3"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$281,81024% below the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$1,135/mo19% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate65.5 /100,00082% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate1262.8 /100,00028% below the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate65.5 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalColumbus Regional Hospital (2.8 mi)

Hospital quality★★★★☆ (4 of 5)

Primary care accessStrong (1,269 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index8.3/20 (Below Average)

Population & City Size

Population51,104Classified as a smaller city

Elevation629 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively Moderate

HurricaneVery Low

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Low

Ice stormsRelatively Low

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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