Why Pittsburgh ranks among top cities for retirees

• Investopedia ranked Pittsburgh as the No. 10 best city for retirees in the Northeast.
• The city's overall cost of living is 2% below the national average.
• Pittsburgh offers a robust arts and sports culture, along with numerous parks and outdoor activities.

Pittsburgh ranks among the top 100 cities to retire in a new study. So what makes the Steel City a good place to spend your golden years?

Investopedia, a leading source on financial content, says it comes down to factors like Pittsburgh's cost of living, culture, walkability and transportation, location and healthcare affordability and access.

Here's a deeper look at Pittsburgh's ranking.

Where does Pittsburgh rank among best cities for retirees?

Investopedia broke their rankings into separate regional groups rather than ranking every city together.

In the Northeast, Pittsburgh took the No. 10 spot among the 20 best cities in the region for retirees.

What is Pittsburgh's cost of living?

Pittsburgh's overall cost of living is 2% below the national average, according to Payscale. Housing is 8% lower than the national average, and groceries are 2% lower. Utilities, on the other hand, are about 22% higher than the national average.

Investopedia estimated the average home value at $227,934, lower than the national average of $357,445.

What is Pittsburgh's city culture like?

Investopedia describes Pittsburgh as having major arts and sports scenes, with the Cultural District in Downtown and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins calling the Steel City home.

They also note that there are numerous opportunities for retirees to get involved in the community through volunteering, learning at universities and local organizations and participating in civic engagement.

Is Pittsburgh walkable? Does it have public transportation?

Many of Pittsburgh's local stores are within walking distance of one another, particularly in Downtown, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, according to Investopedia.

Pittsburgh also offers public transportation via the city bus and the light rail systems.

Is there much to do outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has many parks and trails throughout the city, including Frick Park, Schenley Park, Highland Park and Emerald View Park, Investopedia notes.

Pittsburgh is also part of Appalachia, and there are numerous places to hike that are a short drive outside the city.

What is healthcare like in Pittsburgh?

The cost of healthcare in Pittsburgh is 5% lower than the national average, according to Payscale. Investopedia says it's even less expensive at 8% below the national average.

There are numerous healthcare options in Pittsburgh, including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Allegheny Health Network.

Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.