The 10 Best Places To Live In Ohio For 2026


The best places to live in Ohio for 2026 are Madeira, Upper Arlington, and Montgomery. Find out where your city or town ranks.

The best places in Ohio let you experience Tony Packo’s famous chili dog and a bowl of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Or you can explore places like the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toledo, the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, or the Cincinnati Zoo.

So, narrowing down the top ten best places to live in Ohio was tough.

To determine the best places to live in Ohio, we used Saturday Night Scienceto compare data from the Census, FBI, and Zillow on things like incomes, safety, and home prices. We analyzed 245 cities over 5,000 people.

Here are Ohio’s outstanding offerings.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary


What city is the best place to live in Ohio for 2026? According to the US Census and FBI data, Madeira is the best place to live in Ohio.

If you live in the greater Columbus or Cleveland area, consider yourself one lucky Buckeye.

For more reading, check out:

The 10 Best Places To Live In Ohio For 2026

Best Places To Live In Ohio Map

Madeira, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Ed!(talk)(Hall of Fame) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Madeira Ohio
Population 9,484 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $531,046 $242,141
Median Income $167,653 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 1.2% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0037 0.0186

More on Madeira: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Madeira is an awesome suburb of Cincinnati located about 15 miles northeast of the city. It’s the kind of city where you set down roots when your kids are in grade school and stay until they graduate from college. Niche gives the Madeira City Public School District an A+ rating, which is just part of the reason it’s one of the better places to live in Ohio.

Some of the other reasons Madeira ranks so well have to do with the economy. The city ranks 6th for unemployment and 10th for home values per the latest Census data. Add in top 10% finishes for every category we ranked in Ohio, and Madeira comes out as a well rounded city.

Upper Arlington, OH

Source: Flickr User dankeck | Public Doamin
Stat Upper Arlington Ohio
Population 36,293 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $632,819 $242,141
Median Income $155,167 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0081 0.0186

More on Upper Arlington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Next up on our trip to the best places in Ohio is Upper Arlington, a Columbus suburb of 36,293 and the most populous city on this list. Homes are quite costly in Upper Arlington, but residents can handle it seeing as the median household income here is $155,167/year, the 10th highest in the state.

The success of Upper Arlington is no coincidence. Over three quarters of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree, which has a tremendous impact on earning potential. Speaking of potential, Upper Arlington makes sure that its student population lives up to theirs. How do we know? Well, Upper Arlington High School has received a College Success Award from GreatSchools for the past two years, with an emphasis on top-ranking test scores and a perfect 10/10 for students’ college readiness.

Upper Arlington is also close to Columbus’ German Village, a historic district with old, three-story maximum architecture and brick streets that’s as good for a wholesome day out as it is for an exciting night on the town.

Montgomery, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Ed! (Photography) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Montgomery Ohio
Population 10,855 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $677,976 $242,141
Median Income $150,995 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.7% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0069 0.0186

More on Montgomery: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Montgomery is an affluent Cincinnati suburb of 10,855. While home prices in Montgomery are among the highest in the state, people here are paid enough to shoulder the burden. In fact, at $150,995/year, Montgomery residents enjoy the 11th highest median household income in Ohio.

Don’t think that Montgomery only caters to the 1% either. With a 3.3% poverty level and 98.8% of people covered by health insurance, everyone here can get by (and then some). Not to mention that, with a 10/10 SnackAbility score for education, Montgomery’s youth gets access to some of the best schools in the state.

And with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden a short drive away, you’ve always got the perfect family (or date) activity right in your backyard. Even if you cap off your day with a walk around Smale Riverfront Park, you can still be back in Montgomery before dinnertime.

Wyoming, OH

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 2.5
Stat Wyoming Ohio
Population 8,723 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $483,220 $242,141
Median Income $165,188 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0069 0.0186

More on Wyoming: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’ll take a short drive west to another Cincy suburb to arrive at our 4th best city in Ohio, Wyoming. As one of the richest places in Ohio, with a median household income of $165,188/year, Wyoming has an unshakeable economy. And with the 6th lowest poverty level in Ohio, 2.7%, you can feel secure in knowing that all Wyoming’s residents are along for the ride. Add to that the 10th highest rate of health insurance coverage in the state, and you’ve got a city where unwelcome surprises are much less devastating.

Wyoming also has a crime rate about 60% below the national average, so the sound of police sirens should rarely be a part of your day-to-day life here.

Baseball fans might consider going in on season tickets, because from Wyoming, you can be at a Reds Game in just 20 minutes.

Grandview Heights, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Columbusite | CC BY 3.0
Stat Grandview Heights Ohio
Population 8,647 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $554,973 $242,141
Median Income $117,672 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 1.2% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0224 0.0186

More on Grandview Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Let’s start our tour of the best places to live in Ohio with Grandview Heights, a suburb just minutes from downtown Columbus. Thanks to Grandview Heights’ proximity to the Ohio’s capital city, it ranks as the 13th most densely populated and has the 49th shortest commute (19 minutes) in the whole state. Both of which are the best of cities included on this list.

Besides being in the middle of the action, Grandview Heights has a lot going for it. Like a super smart population where over 30% of people have at least a master’s degree. And a poverty level and unemployment rate at 6.0% and 1.2% respectively, both among the lowest in Ohio. This rock solid economy with highly educated workers translates into big salaries, because the median household income in Grandview Heights is $117,672/year.

While there’s plenty to do in Grandview Heights itself, we think it’s extra cool that you can be at a Buckeyes’ game at Ohio Stadium with 100,000 of your closest friends in just ten minutes. Just be sure to make your move to Grandview Heights quickly, because the secret is out and its one of the fastest growing cities in Ohio.

Highland Heights, OH

Source: Wikipedia User aeroplanepics0112 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Highland Heights Ohio
Population 8,623 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 9
Median Home Value $418,478 $242,141
Median Income $122,863 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0044 0.0186

More on Highland Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Rocky River, OH

Source: Public domain
Stat Rocky River Ohio
Population 21,490 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $393,092 $242,141
Median Income $94,026 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0044 0.0186

More on Rocky River: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Rocky River is a Cleveland suburb of 21,490 located along the shore of Lake Erie. If you prefer the company of women, Rocky River might just be the place for you, because at 53.3%, it has the greatest percentage of women among the places listed here. And as the second most densely populated spot on this list, you’d better believe Rocky River is a hub of activity.

Rocky River also has the 2lowest crime rate in the state. So you won’t have to worry for your kiddos’ safety when they head off to school. Speaking of which, all levels of education in Rocky River (elementary, middle, and high school) got scores of 9/10 on GreatSchools, so from start to finish, kids get the best possible learning experience here.

And for folks who never change the radio from the classic rock station, being just 20 minutes down the road from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a welcome bonus.

Powell, OH

Source: Wikipedia User jbalint1 | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Powell Ohio
Population 14,451 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 7
Median Home Value $567,815 $242,141
Median Income $195,495 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 2.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0093 0.0186

More on Powell: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Clocking in as the 8th best place to call home in Ohio is Powell, one of Columbus’ best suburbs. You don’t have to worry about finding fun things to do in Powell because this city of 14,451 is chock full of exciting amenities.

Powell is home to the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay, a waterpark. Both are big hits with families, which makes sense considering that 45.34% of Powell’s households have kids. For nature lovers, there’s also the Emily Traphagen Preserve, where you can spot several types of birds.

GreatSchools gave Powell’s school district an average score of 8/10, most public schools score in the top 5% statewide, and the city has achieved the 18th lowest high school dropout rate in Ohio. No wonder Powell is one of Ohio’s fastest-growing cities.

Additionally, Powell has the lowest poverty rate and 25th highest rate of health-insured residents in Ohio, so everybody gets a piece of the pie here. The median household income in Powell is $195,495, the 3rd highest in Ohio. The median home value in Powell is the 6th highest statewide at $567,815.

Perrysburg, OH

Source: Public domain
Stat Perrysburg Ohio
Population 25,181 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 10
Median Home Value $330,761 $242,141
Median Income $111,643 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 3.7% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0048 0.0186

More on Perrysburg: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located just south of the Maumee River from Toledo, Perrysburg ranks as the 9th best city to live in Ohio. We already named Perrysburg the best city for families in Ohio, and a lot of those same factors help land it here on this list. For instance, a 9.5/10 SnackAbility score for education, including a high school that consistently gets awarded for college success scores. And awesome interactive projects like the 577 Foundation, where beekeeping, fossil-digging, and rock wall-climbing are just a few of the goodies in store for a guaranteed successful family day out. Or if you’d prefer a day with the fam in the big city, the Toledo Zoo is another surefire option.

Perrysburg residents enjoy a median household income of $111,643/year and a relatively low cost of living.

New Albany, OH

Source: Public domain
Stat New Albany Ohio
Population 10,896 11,810,293
Rank Last Year 15
Median Home Value $632,192 $242,141
Median Income $238,250 $71,389
Unemployment Rate 0.9% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0132 0.0186

More on New Albany: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’ll stick around the Columbus ‘burbs for our 10th best city in Ohio, New Albany. Both home prices and incomes in New Albany are the 4th highest in the state by a substantial margin, so you know this city has plenty of cash on hand. Even better, taxes on all that money go to projects that the whole city can enjoy, like the newly developed (and developing) Village Center. And if New Albany’s downtown doesn’t have what you need yet, Columbus’ Easton Town Center is just 10 miles down the road.

New Albany residents know the importance of staying in school, because the city has the 24th lowest adult high school dropout rate in Ohio. Which, of course, helps explain the fact that New Albany also has the 2nd lowest poverty level in the state. And since educated, moneyed individuals don’t often go in for crime, New Albany’s crime rate being 70% below the national average is no surprise.

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Ohio

Best Places To Live In Ohio Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Ohio, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Columbus, with a population of 914,802, against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This filter left 245 cities, 385 towns, and 482 small towns.

We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Ohio have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Ohio

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Ohio across a number of criteria from one to 245, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Ohio.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking Ohio’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Ohio. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Madeira at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In Ohio

If you’re looking at areas in Ohio with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The best places to live in Ohio are Madeira, Upper Arlington, Montgomery, Wyoming, Grandview Heights, Highland Heights, Rocky River, Powell, Perrysburg, and New Albany.

Madeira made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Ohio for 2026.

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Ohio according to the data:

  1. Trotwood (Pop. 23,041)
  2. Campbell (Pop. 7,784)
  3. East Cleveland (Pop. 13,534)

For more Ohio reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In Ohio Table

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income Rent Crime Per Capita
1 Madeira 9,484 1.2% $531,046 $167,653 $1,777 0.0037
2 Upper Arlington 36,293 2.0% $632,819 $155,167 $1,588 0.0081
3 Montgomery 10,855 2.7% $677,976 $150,995 $1,605 0.0069
4 Wyoming 8,723 2.6% $483,220 $165,188 $1,249 0.0069
5 Grandview Heights 8,647 1.2% $554,973 $117,672 $1,750 0.0224
6 Highland Heights 8,623 2.6% $418,478 $122,863 $1,836 0.0044
7 Rocky River 21,490 2.6% $393,092 $94,026 $1,175 0.0044
8 Powell 14,451 2.0% $567,815 $195,495 $2,194 0.0093
9 Perrysburg 25,181 3.7% $330,761 $111,643 $1,198 0.0048
10 New Albany 10,896 0.9% $632,192 $238,250 $2,355 0.0132
11 Pepper Pike 6,840 2.2% $696,159 $227,813 $3,501 0.0054
12 Bexley 13,114 2.5% $572,576 $157,841 $1,268 0.0240
13 Avon Lake 25,752 1.6% $422,130 $115,567 $1,537 0.0031
14 Bellbrook 7,394 0.6% $317,414 $111,513 $1,346 0.0050
15 Hudson 23,039 1.3% $542,264 $171,427 $2,344 0.0051
16 Worthington 14,938 3.9% $478,890 $127,382 $1,232 0.0136
17 Springboro 19,980 2.6% $427,301 $119,659 $1,203 0.0064
18 Mason 35,509 2.0% $510,361 $125,401 $1,760 0.0057
19 North Canton 17,727 1.7% $283,608 $72,544 $1,029 0.0114
20 Westerville 38,645 2.2% $446,094 $109,404 $1,364 0.0189
21 Dublin 49,294 2.5% $559,786 $160,296 $1,686 0.0101
22 Beachwood 13,865 5.4% $483,433 $106,748 $2,047 0.0226
23 Sylvania 19,055 3.9% $319,898 $100,189 $1,072 0.0080
24 Avon 25,317 1.8% $471,402 $135,915 $1,796 0.0098
25 Solon 23,943 2.4% $452,827 $139,089 $1,626 0.0085
26 Blue Ash 13,455 1.2% $447,597 $115,313 $1,555 0.0197
27 Broadview Heights 19,771 1.5% $365,132 $103,125 $1,083 0.0011
28 Gahanna 35,486 2.6% $374,129 $109,061 $1,466 0.0204
29 Westlake 34,104 3.5% $414,010 $112,200 $1,570 0.0068
30 Oakwood 9,458 2.3% $396,573 $156,667 $1,416 0.0710
31 Aurora 17,581 3.9% $428,906 $127,886 $1,799 0.0040
32 Lyndhurst 13,801 2.0% $230,586 $91,238 $1,244 0.0117
33 Centerville 25,205 3.4% $383,031 $85,492 $1,270 0.0109
34 Hilliard 38,033 2.7% $384,174 $128,189 $1,632 0.0103
35 Independence 7,534 1.5% $354,544 $115,733 $1,383 0.0135
36 Seven Hills 11,603 2.5% $299,505 $97,222 $1,586 0.0097
37 Brecksville 13,692 5.6% $437,032 $135,000 $1,588 0.0032
38 Loveland 13,197 2.9% $445,807 $94,323 $1,246 0.0050
39 Olmsted Falls 8,639 2.9% $297,060 $96,837 $1,241 0.0031
40 University Heights 13,394 5.3% $278,810 $96,971 $1,507 0.0118
41 Twinsburg 19,410 2.6% $354,963 $99,144 $1,356 0.0061
42 Mentor-on-the-Lake 7,111 1.9% $212,493 $67,188 $1,062 0.0068
43 Deer Park 5,384 1.6% $259,930 $83,371 $890 0.0085
44 Munroe Falls 5,000 3.7% $274,600 $81,214 $0 0.0008
45 Brunswick 35,246 2.0% $313,496 $90,663 $1,157 0.0045
46 Willowick 14,162 3.8% $191,618 $77,228 $1,053 0.0035
47 Groveport 5,900 4.2% $311,011 $93,586 $1,082 0.0114
48 Beavercreek 47,126 3.6% $332,151 $110,088 $1,457 0.0208
49 Waterville 6,017 3.2% $340,487 $104,114 $1,415 0.0071
50 Cortland 7,080 1.0% $225,249 $71,563 $720 0.0054
51 Canfield 7,649 6.0% $319,365 $97,439 $788 0.0039
52 Huron 6,757 3.1% $298,446 $78,333 $1,000 0.0036
53 St. Marys 8,301 1.8% $204,180 $79,516 $848 0.0117
54 Harrison 13,084 1.5% $316,154 $100,000 $1,153 0.0088
55 Mentor 47,171 2.9% $269,568 $88,949 $1,239 0.0146
56 Columbiana 6,903 1.5% $244,160 $54,688 $702 0.0038
57 Granville 5,999 2.9% $507,108 $124,408 $1,129 0.0459
58 Berea 18,218 5.2% $239,039 $74,926 $1,062 0.0039
59 North Olmsted 31,924 3.0% $270,520 $84,363 $1,141 0.0105
60 Strongsville 45,983 2.7% $360,030 $103,253 $1,302 0.0134
61 Mayfield Heights 20,022 5.7% $228,638 $66,524 $1,128 0.0031
62 Maumee 13,715 1.6% $277,736 $80,833 $995 0.0257
63 St. Clairsville 5,003 1.4% $203,090 $76,480 $927 0.0014
64 Celina 10,903 1.4% $234,400 $62,849 $760 0.0102
65 Fairlawn 7,711 2.2% $309,742 $97,055 $1,239 0.0375
66 Kettering 57,206 3.8% $243,732 $74,681 $1,051 0.0153
67 Clayton 13,277 2.5% $253,570 $92,879 $1,070 0.0124
68 Chardon 5,249 3.2% $363,602 $86,613 $1,163 0.0046
69 Stow 34,240 3.9% $284,989 $93,727 $1,212 0.0185
70 Pickerington 24,477 3.5% $419,072 $111,833 $1,605 0.0131
71 Wickliffe 12,659 3.8% $193,209 $81,750 $1,207 0.0089
72 Monroe 15,401 3.2% $352,114 $105,250 $1,608 0.0192
73 Louisville 9,602 2.4% $240,229 $64,375 $910 0.0086
74 Marysville 27,518 3.1% $364,500 $92,619 $1,223 0.0126
75 Trenton 13,583 4.3% $279,523 $80,635 $1,284 0.0025
76 Lebanon 21,501 1.7% $397,421 $83,685 $1,090 0.0123
77 Shaker Heights 28,922 4.6% $342,442 $104,073 $1,168 0.0593
78 New Franklin 13,843 4.0% $241,577 $90,244 $1,132 0.0040
79 Hubbard 7,598 3.2% $164,705 $62,593 $799 0.0147
80 Wadsworth 24,492 2.9% $311,603 $79,490 $1,067 0.0113
81 Canal Winchester 10,170 1.7% $415,360 $131,209 $1,692 0.0288
82 Willoughby 24,046 4.1% $239,414 $71,309 $1,171 0.0105
83 Delaware 44,589 2.6% $407,929 $99,786 $1,286 0.0118
84 Willoughby Hills 9,975 3.7% $349,448 $67,214 $1,116 0.0190
85 Medina 25,950 5.9% $374,183 $77,385 $1,077 0.0087
86 Lakewood 50,007 5.0% $286,113 $68,954 $1,070 0.0126
87 Milford 6,497 5.2% $331,271 $78,057 $940 0.0097
88 Brook Park 18,284 3.7% $191,187 $71,332 $1,122 0.0062
89 Englewood 13,356 3.4% $234,831 $80,030 $953 0.0276
90 Germantown 5,825 6.9% $265,381 $90,125 $1,004 0.0088
91 North Ridgeville 36,627 2.7% $325,233 $96,698 $1,116 0.0213
92 Napoleon 8,802 2.1% $209,534 $76,639 $819 0.0201
93 Tallmadge 18,335 4.1% $282,064 $89,410 $1,067 0.0106
94 Kirtland 6,911 5.2% $404,639 $110,455 $874 0.0190
95 Middleburg Heights 15,786 2.0% $271,582 $78,815 $1,079 0.0593
96 Oberlin 8,329 5.6% $238,965 $81,308 $995 0.0136
97 Parma Heights 20,581 4.1% $214,163 $61,009 $1,111 0.0036
98 Brookville 5,779 2.6% $265,951 $63,598 $1,001 0.0097
99 Amherst 12,906 4.8% $274,430 $90,725 $906 0.0125
100 Toronto 5,293 2.9% $133,234 $55,972 $748 0.0040

jQuery(document).ready(function($) { create_map(‘https://www.homesnacks.com/graphs/maps/best/oh.html’); });

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.