The 10 Best Places To Live In Ohio For 2025


The best places to live in Ohio for 2025 are Madeira, Upper Arlington, and Wyoming. 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 249 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 2025? 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 2025

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 9,454 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $463,600 $199,200
Median Income $168,981 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 2.8% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0043 0.0186

More on Madeira: Data

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 59th 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 36,319 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $568,200 $199,200
Median Income $150,993 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 2.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0092 0.0186

More on Upper Arlington: Data

Next up on our trip to the best places in Ohio is Upper Arlington, a Columbus suburb of 36,319 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 $150,993/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.

Wyoming, OH

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 2.5
Stat Wyoming Ohio
Population 8,712 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $404,500 $199,200
Median Income $156,518 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 2.2% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0092 0.0186

More on Wyoming: Data

We’ll take a short drive west to another Cincy suburb to arrive at our 3rd best city in Ohio, Wyoming. As one of the richest places in Ohio, with a median household income of $156,518/year, Wyoming has an unshakeable economy. And with the 2nd lowest poverty level in Ohio, 1.6%, you can feel secure in knowing that all Wyoming’s residents are along for the ride. Add to that the 24th 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.

Powell, OH

Source: Wikipedia User jbalint1 | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Powell Ohio
Population 14,229 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $493,500 $199,200
Median Income $191,250 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 2.7% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0071 0.0186

More on Powell: Data

Clocking in as the 4th 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 14,229 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 2nd 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 15th highest rate of health-insured residents in Ohio, so everybody gets a piece of the pie here. The median household income in Powell is $191,250, the 3rd highest in Ohio. The median home value in Powell is the 7th highest statewide at $493,500.

Pepper Pike, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Hannah Wolfe | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Pepper Pike Ohio
Population 6,807 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $558,300 $199,200
Median Income $215,373 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 1.4% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0048 0.0186

More on Pepper Pike: Data

Wrapping up our list of best places to call home in Ohio is Pepper Pike, an eastern suburb of Cleveland. While homes in Pepper Pike are the 3rd priciest in the state, residents are also compensated with the 2nd highest paychecks as well. The median household income in Pepper Pike is $215,373/year and 99.2% of people living here have health insurance, the 2nd highest rate of coverage in Ohio.

Another thing to note about Pepper Pike is the educational prowess of the population. Over 40% of people here have a master’s, PhD, or professional degree, so definitely study up before a pub quiz night here if you don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons. And the schools for the young-uns? Well, we think the 10/10 education score Pepper Pike got on our SnackAbility scale speaks for itself.

Since smarter people tend to eat better, we think Pepper Pikers are willing to make the half hour drive to Cleveland’s West Side Market for the freshest food in town. Even if you’re not there for groceries, wandering around the 100+ stalls is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Montgomery, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Ed! (Photography) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Montgomery Ohio
Population 10,816 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $505,800 $199,200
Median Income $148,438 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 3.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0075 0.0186

More on Montgomery: Data

Montgomery is an affluent Cincinnati suburb of 10,816. While home prices in Montgomery are among the highest in the state, people here are paid enough to shoulder the burden. In fact, at $148,438/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 2.7% poverty level and 99.1% 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.

Rocky River, OH

Source: Public domain
Stat Rocky River Ohio
Population 21,490 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 7
Median Home Value $327,600 $199,200
Median Income $93,956 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 2.3% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0053 0.0186

More on Rocky River: Data

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 53.8%, 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 28th lowest 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.

Bellbrook, OH

Source: Public domain
Stat Bellbrook Ohio
Population 7,344 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 16
Median Home Value $246,200 $199,200
Median Income $101,455 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 0.6% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0042 0.0186

More on Bellbrook: Data

Situated southeast of Dayton, Bellbrook ranks as Ohio’s 8th best place to live. For starters, Bellbrook achieved a sub-1% unemployment rate; the 2nd lowest rate in all of Ohio.

And since folks with jobs don’t have as much reason to commit crimes, it makes sense that Bellbrook’s overall crime rate is about 70% below the national average.

So what’s there to do in Bellbrook? Well, each year, the city hosts two festivals — one dedicated to Sugar Maple and another to Lions. On top of that, for a community of 7,344 people, Bellbrook has some excellent dining options.

The best part is how affordable Bellbrook is. It got an overall cost of living score of 97, where the national average is 100. Homes in Bellbrook have a median price tag of $246,200, and the median household income is $101,455.

Highland Heights, OH

Source: Wikipedia User aeroplanepics0112 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Highland Heights Ohio
Population 8,619 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 15
Median Home Value $342,400 $199,200
Median Income $117,820 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 3.8% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0037 0.0186

More on Highland Heights: Data

Avon Lake, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Robert Chriss | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Avon Lake Ohio
Population 25,456 11,780,046
Rank Last Year 18
Median Home Value $337,200 $199,200
Median Income $110,174 $69,680
Unemployment Rate 1.4% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0040 0.0186

More on Avon Lake: Data

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 906,480, 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 249 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 249, 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 2025. This report is our tenth 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, Wyoming, Powell, Pepper Pike, Montgomery, Rocky River, Bellbrook, Highland Heights, and Avon Lake.

Madeira made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Ohio for 2025.

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

  1. Trotwood (Pop. 23,041)
  2. Youngstown (Pop. 59,605)
  3. New Carlisle (Pop. 5,552)

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 9,454 2.8% $463,600 $168,981 $2,031 0.0043
2 Upper Arlington 36,319 2.0% $568,200 $150,993 $1,480 0.0092
3 Wyoming 8,712 2.2% $404,500 $156,518 $1,319 0.0092
4 Powell 14,229 2.7% $493,500 $191,250 $2,236 0.0071
5 Pepper Pike 6,807 1.4% $558,300 $215,373 $0 0.0048
6 Montgomery 10,816 3.0% $505,800 $148,438 $1,507 0.0075
7 Rocky River 21,490 2.3% $327,600 $93,956 $1,155 0.0053
8 Bellbrook 7,344 0.6% $246,200 $101,455 $1,234 0.0042
9 Highland Heights 8,619 3.8% $342,400 $117,820 $1,665 0.0037
10 Avon Lake 25,456 1.4% $337,200 $110,174 $1,500 0.0040
11 Perrysburg 25,065 4.2% $306,500 $105,226 $1,213 0.0071
12 Grandview Heights 8,422 1.6% $548,100 $113,862 $1,748 0.0270
13 New Albany 10,524 2.4% $728,200 $232,524 $2,134 0.0135
14 Hudson 23,007 1.9% $444,800 $180,931 $2,219 0.0048
15 Granville 5,916 1.9% $490,500 $123,860 $1,103 0.0118
16 Bexley 13,324 3.7% $488,600 $152,526 $1,190 0.0288
17 Mason 35,148 2.4% $397,900 $124,407 $1,670 0.0062
18 North Canton 17,746 2.4% $194,200 $72,193 $981 0.0114
19 Worthington 14,754 4.2% $417,700 $124,734 $1,153 0.0168
20 Gahanna 35,438 2.0% $322,300 $106,004 $1,442 0.0196
21 Westerville 38,543 1.9% $343,200 $107,054 $1,409 0.0223
22 Fairlawn 7,689 1.5% $267,000 $93,154 $1,095 0.0326
23 Sylvania 19,038 3.9% $233,700 $95,610 $1,019 0.0083
24 Dublin 49,031 2.7% $514,900 $155,282 $1,596 0.0116
25 Blue Ash 13,374 1.7% $365,700 $116,663 $1,511 0.0203
26 Springboro 19,577 3.6% $330,300 $112,872 $1,378 0.0066
27 Lyndhurst 13,854 2.7% $198,900 $88,701 $1,327 0.0157
28 Avon 25,082 2.5% $377,100 $126,618 $1,446 0.0097
29 Broadview Heights 19,768 1.4% $292,500 $99,431 $1,075 0.0010
30 Beachwood 13,850 5.8% $381,600 $102,798 $1,941 0.0221
31 Hilliard 36,560 2.3% $360,000 $122,864 $1,590 0.0128
32 University Heights 13,508 5.6% $224,900 $98,474 $1,445 0.0067
33 Seven Hills 11,628 3.4% $239,600 $95,313 $1,500 0.0079
34 Loveland 13,280 3.3% $305,200 $86,793 $1,170 0.0048
35 Twinsburg 19,346 2.6% $288,700 $95,097 $1,323 0.0073
36 Brecksville 13,656 4.8% $360,100 $126,888 $1,448 0.0048
37 Deer Park 5,380 2.7% $189,400 $80,122 $876 0.0106
38 Brunswick 35,284 2.0% $233,300 $85,313 $1,115 0.0051
39 Oakwood 9,480 2.5% $350,100 $158,968 $1,320 0.0887
40 Beavercreek 46,787 2.7% $261,200 $110,064 $1,410 0.0215
41 Groveport 5,916 1.5% $245,200 $91,545 $1,088 0.0103
42 Kirtland 6,913 3.9% $377,500 $117,794 $906 0.0004
43 Solon 23,970 2.4% $375,700 $135,180 $1,460 0.0115
44 Pickerington 23,828 2.9% $309,700 $116,645 $1,598 0.0127
45 St. Clairsville 5,043 0.9% $197,600 $73,534 $966 0.0016
46 Centerville 24,815 3.4% $262,300 $81,500 $1,182 0.0150
47 Munroe Falls 5,019 3.6% $223,800 $75,089 $0 0.0036
48 Wickliffe 12,639 3.2% $158,400 $79,052 $1,234 0.0093
49 Willowick 14,182 4.2% $156,100 $74,138 $1,021 0.0044
50 North Ridgeville 36,043 2.9% $254,700 $94,234 $1,067 0.0036
51 Aurora 17,386 4.8% $371,400 $125,567 $1,704 0.0074
52 North Olmsted 32,031 3.0% $202,400 $85,435 $1,092 0.0074
53 Strongsville 46,022 3.0% $279,600 $102,574 $1,253 0.0099
54 Mentor 47,215 3.3% $229,500 $89,202 $1,192 0.0156
55 Canfield 7,651 6.1% $225,100 $97,730 $786 0.0065
56 Amherst 12,796 4.0% $222,700 $93,043 $832 0.0080
57 Independence 7,543 1.5% $305,500 $114,049 $1,547 0.0150
58 Celina 11,017 1.9% $158,800 $66,142 $814 0.0059
59 Cortland 7,091 1.5% $199,300 $61,740 $702 0.0047
60 Macedonia 12,142 3.5% $294,500 $108,059 $2,024 0.0145
61 North Royalton 31,013 3.9% $276,300 $81,810 $1,061 0.0035
62 Stow 34,317 3.9% $238,000 $91,933 $1,204 0.0168
63 St. Marys 8,319 1.7% $138,500 $72,056 $835 0.0075
64 Clayton 13,269 2.3% $189,100 $90,886 $1,069 0.0116
65 Monroe 15,024 2.5% $264,000 $103,638 $1,575 0.0214
66 Kettering 57,442 3.8% $192,500 $71,619 $983 0.0147
67 Mentor-on-the-Lake 7,117 1.9% $171,200 $61,320 $1,021 0.0070
68 Columbiana 6,800 1.8% $187,000 $49,873 $656 0.0034
69 Berea 18,330 6.1% $187,600 $71,896 $981 0.0043
70 Marysville 26,540 2.9% $271,000 $92,490 $1,179 0.0127
71 Maumee 13,765 2.5% $185,600 $81,739 $939 0.0320
72 Lebanon 21,216 1.9% $257,100 $78,598 $1,067 0.0143
73 Wadsworth 24,302 3.1% $235,600 $77,581 $1,024 0.0103
74 New Franklin 13,830 4.1% $196,600 $88,306 $1,101 0.0058
75 Shaker Heights 29,004 4.9% $288,000 $97,721 $1,149 0.0635
76 Mayfield Heights 20,082 6.0% $187,600 $62,511 $1,089 0.0058
77 Huron 6,824 3.8% $205,900 $73,429 $995 0.0063
78 Tallmadge 18,394 3.5% $226,400 $91,273 $1,008 0.0119
79 Hubbard 7,600 1.6% $123,600 $62,468 $835 0.0129
80 Louisville 9,560 2.6% $192,700 $58,269 $842 0.0114
81 Westlake 34,036 3.3% $336,100 $110,101 $1,480 0.0635
82 Troy 26,716 5.0% $199,400 $70,450 $934 0.0086
83 Canal Winchester 9,659 2.1% $314,800 $112,474 $1,402 0.0333
84 Oberlin 8,054 5.4% $207,500 $73,775 $982 0.0119
85 Sunbury 7,335 1.6% $337,700 $103,774 $1,565 0.0310
86 Harrison 13,460 1.1% $221,900 $100,913 $1,104 0.1808
87 Cleveland Heights 44,694 7.2% $176,700 $72,302 $1,139 0.0133
88 Trenton 13,304 5.7% $209,700 $87,788 $1,354 0.0063
89 Willoughby 23,934 5.0% $206,200 $70,884 $1,147 0.0121
90 Medina 26,040 5.6% $231,700 $76,099 $1,025 0.0119
91 Brook Park 18,359 4.2% $158,300 $67,178 $1,090 0.0028
92 Wapakoneta 9,867 3.1% $146,000 $61,628 $789 0.0075
93 Mount Vernon 16,802 2.1% $161,400 $54,335 $909 0.0046
94 Napoleon 8,561 1.9% $139,500 $73,417 $808 0.0183
95 Germantown 5,796 6.5% $186,900 $84,307 $937 0.0083
96 Middleburg Heights 15,817 2.1% $213,100 $78,324 $1,014 0.0635
97 Toronto 5,452 4.0% $102,800 $47,202 $673 0.0035
98 Waterville 5,997 4.0% $271,100 $102,096 $1,386 0.2535
99 Sheffield Lake 8,946 3.3% $153,400 $62,065 $1,014 0.0099
100 Dover 13,094 5.4% $172,600 $61,918 $1,004 0.0056

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.