Safest Cities in Ohio

Olmsted Falls

Olmsted Falls is part of Cuyahoga County in Ohio, and it is considered a suburb of Cleveland. According to the latest official data, the town currently has 8,828 residents, with more than 53% being women.

The history of Olmsted Falls is rich and dates back hundreds of years. The land was purchased and founded by Aaron Olmsted, a wealthy captain after whom Olmsted Falls was named. The area officially became the city of Olmsted Falls in 1970.

This town is one of the safest cities in Ohio. Its crime rate is 248 per 100,000 residents, one of the lowest in the state. In 2019, the people of Olmsted Falls reported 203 property offenses and only four violent crimes. 

The median household income in Olmsted Falls is above the Ohio average at $69,839, and the per capita income is $37,802. Only 3.4% of people live in poverty, and if you want to buy a home in Olmsted Falls, a typical house will cost you $221,237. Those that want to rent will have to spend around $863 monthly.

Springboro

Springboro is one of the best cities in Ohio when it comes to crime rates and quality of living. 

It was founded by Jonathan Wright in 1815, naming the village Springboro to reference the various underground springs in the area. It currently has 18,931 residents and was incorporated as a city in 1831. 

Residents of Springboro have pretty high incomes. According to the latest official estimates, the per capita earnings of the people of Springboro are $43,270, and the median household income sits at $107,225. Only 2.8% of people live in poverty.

Springboro is not only safe by Ohio’s standards, but it’s among the safest places to live in the US With a crime rate of 353 per 100,000, the police reported 66 property offenses and only one violent crime in 2019.

Safety and high incomes come with a price. If you want to rent in Springboro, you will have to pay $400 more than in most other Ohio towns and cities. The median gross rent is $1,209, and an average house costs $332,248. Over the past year, home values have increased by 13%.

North Ridgeville

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Ohio, it comes as no surprise that “North Ridgeville safest city” is among the most popular searches for those looking to relocate. This city is part of Lorain County of Ohio, and is a suburb of Cleveland.

North Ridgeville used to be Ridgeville Township, with its history dating back to 1810. The settlers organized the township in 1813, and the town later changed its name, inspired by the local post office.

The city currently has around 34,000 residents, and women comprise the majority of the population. Residents of this city in Ohio live way above the state standards as there are only 5% of people in poverty. The median household income is $77,221, and the per capita earnings amount to $36,386.

Renting in North Ridgeville costs around $968 a month, and a typical home in this town costs about $236,555. Thus, living in North Ridgeville is more expensive when compared to other cities and towns in Ohio.

North Ridgeville has a low crime rate of 363 per 100,000 residents. In 2019, the police reported a total of 13 violent crimes, and there were 112 property offenses that year.

Seven Hills

Seven Hills is located in Cuyahoga County. Originally belonging to Independence Township, in 1927, it became a village, and 34 years later, Seven Hills was officially incorporated as a city.

Seven Hills is another beautiful town on our “what is the safest city to live in Ohio” list. If you ever find yourself in this city, you should take a walk in one of the many parks such as the popular John Glenn Park, Calvin Park, North Park, and Cricket Lane Park; or stop by the Recreation Department as it frequently organizes various programs and events during the year to be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.

If you’re searching for the safest city in Ohio in 2021 with a high standard of living, you should look into Seven Hills. The median household income is $82,255, while per capita income sits above the Ohio average at $39,352. The percentage of people living in poverty is more than two times lower than the state average: at 5.8%.

Just like many other towns, higher standards are associated with higher costs. The median gross rent in Seven Hills is $1,207, and the average price of a house is $238,176.

Seven Hills is one of the safest cities in America. The crime rate per 100,000 residents is 379, and in 2019, the police field reports for only seven violent crimes and 37 property offenses.

Kirtland

Kirtland is part of Lake County, and even though it’s a small city, it has a rich history, and it’s a great place to visit and relocate to. This city is the headquarters of the Latter Day Saint movement and is the site of the first Mormon temple called the Kirtland Temple.

The population of Kirtland is just 6,812, Kirtland isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think about where the best place is to live in Ohio. It is one of the rare small places, however, with so much to explore. 

The historic Kirtland is part of the city where the visitor’s center and six historical buildings are located, welcoming visitors to see the historic sawmill, a schoolhouse, and an ashery. You can explore the Newel K. Whitney and Company store, the Newel and Ann Whitney’s home, and the Johnson Inn historical exhibit.

Besides the many historical attractions, Kirtland is also one of the safest places to live in Ohio. Its crime rate is 396 per 100,000 residents, and residents reported 21 property and six violent crimes in 2019. The median household income is $91,683, while per capita earnings amount to $51,708. About 5.5% of people live in poverty, and the median gross rent is only $782, while the average home value is $311,199.

North Royalton

North Royalton belongs to the Cuyahoga County of Ohio, and it was founded in 1818. The city was named Royalton after the natal town of one of the settlers, Knight Sprague, and was officially incorporated in 1927.

North Royalton is one of the safest cities near Cleveland. It has a crime rate of 453 per 100,000 people, and according to the official police reports, there were only 119 property crimes and 17 violent offenses in 2019.

The city has a population of 30,068, and the majority of residents are female. The people of North Royalton live above the state average, with per capita earnings of $41,258, and the median household income in the town is $70,665. Only 4.8% of people live in poverty.

North Royalton is among the cheaper Ohio cities to rent in. The median gross rent is $896, which is about $90 higher than the Ohio average, and a typical house costs around $266,583.

In case you ever visit North Royalton, you’ll be amazed by its beautiful scenery. You should visit the Mill Stream Run Reservation for its long hiking trail and several bike trails surrounded by plenty of parks.

Munroe Falls

Monroe Falls is part of Summit County. It’s a suburb of Akron, and it’s officially part of the Akron Metropolitan Area. It has only 5,063 residents, and its low crime rate makes Munroe Falls one of the best rural places to live in Ohio.

The first settlers built a sawmill and a gristmill which is why the city was first called Kelsey’s Mills, after the settler who built it. Years later, William and Edmund Munroe bought the mills as well as 250 acres of land in order to create a village. They gave the area the name Munroe Falls, and it officially became a city in 1991.

If we were to rank Ohio cities by population, Monroe Falls is one of the last, but when it comes to crime rates, the situation is the opposite. The crime rate of this town is 453 per 100,000 residents, and residents reported 23 property crimes and zero violent offenses in 2019. 

The median gross rent in Munroe Falls is lower than average at $769, and a typical house costs $205,756. Even though properties can be cheaper, residents’ incomes are higher than average, with median household earnings of $66,333. The per capita income is $35,005, and around 9% of people live in poverty.

Berea

Berea is another town on the safest cities in Ohio list located in Cuyahoga County. The city has a great location as an official suburb of Cleveland, and it’s near the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Berea hosts the training facility of the Cleveland Browns, and it’s home to Baldwin Wallace University.

John Baldwin is one of the founders of Berea. He created the Baldwin Institute, later known as the Baldwin-Wallace College. The name for Berea was decided by the flip of a coin in 1836, with the other option being Tabor.

Berea has a population of 18,609. With a crime rate of 474 per 100,000 residents, it’s among the safer cities in Ohio, with 79 property crimes and nine violent offenses reported by police in 2019.

The median household income in Berea is $59,511, and the per capita income sits at $29,540. Around 11.9% of residents live in poverty, and while the poverty rate is higher than some Ohio towns, it’s still below the state average.

In case you are interested in relocating there, a typical house costs $182,771. On the other hand, the median gross rent is slightly above the state average and is estimated to be $847 monthly.

Bellbrook

Bellbrook is one of the best places to live in Ohio if you’re looking for a small city. It is part of Greene County, and it has only 7,344 residents.

Bellbrook was named by combining the names of the city’s founding fathers. The town was originally a village, but it slowly increased its population from territories around Sugarcreek Township before gaining its city status in 1974.

Residents of Bellbrook have a higher income than most Ohioans. Their per capita income is $44,259, and the median household income sits at $84,130. Only 3.3% of people live in poverty, and the rent is almost the same as in other places in Ohio. The median gross rent amounts to $984 a month. A typical house in Bellbrook costs around $239,588.

The crime rate for Bellbrook is 491 per 100,000 people, and residents reported only 36 property crimes and no violent offenses in 2019.

Even though it’s a small place, Bellbrook is far from boring. It’s a few minutes from Sugarcreek, and if you like nature, you should go to the Sugarcreek Metropark, and history fans will enjoy the Bellbrook Historical Museum.

Bay Village

Bay Village is located in Cuyahoga County of Ohio. It has a population of 15,194, and it’s one of the safest places to live in Ohio.

Bay Village was originally part of Dover Township, comprising of Westlake and parts of North Olmstead. In 1901, landowners teamed up and requested they split from the township in order to form the Bay Village Township. 

After the last Cahoon relative passed away, the family home and 115 acres of land were given to the city. Today, the landmark is called Cahoon Memorial Park. Years later, John Huntington, one of the figures of Bay Village, donated his summer estate, which is now known as the Huntington Reservation.

As one of the best cities to live in Ohio, Bay Village has a crime rate of 499 per 100,000 residents, and police reported 72 property crimes and four violent offenses. Residents of Bay Village have pretty high incomes, with the median household income at $103,582, while per capita earnings amount to $53,838. Only 3.4% of people live in poverty, and the median gross rent is $1,040. The average home costs $325,641.

Parma

Parma is part of Cuyahoga Count located just southwest of Cleveland. It gained its name in honor of the other Parma, located in New York, which heralded its name from the famous Italian city. This city was primarily agricultural until the end of World War II when younger families began relocating from Cleveland to more suburban areas. During the sixties, Parma was the fastest-growing city in the United States.

Parma is among the larger cities in Ohio, with a population of 78,103. Its crime rate isn’t low, however, compared to the biggest cities in Ohio. Its crime rate is 1,112 per 100,000 residents, with 759 property and 112 violent crimes reported by police in 2019.

The per capita income of Parma residents is $29,113, and the median household income sits at $57,120. Despite the lower earnings, the percentage of people living in poverty is lower than the state average at 9.1%. A typical house in Parma costs $160,647, and the median gross rent is $865.

Newark

Those wondering if Newark, Ohio is a good place to live should consider the city’s complex history. Home of the Ohio State University at Newark, Newark is the county seat of Licking County.

Historically, Newark was a popular industrial town. It was rich in resources such as oil, iron, silica, and glass, which led to many companies choosing this city as their home.

It maintains a rural and historical appeal, which is something Newark officials are proud of. Its most interesting site is Newark Earthworks, an ancient complex built by the Hopewell culture.

Newark has a population of 49, 470 and its crime rate is 36 per 1000 residents. With good Ohio home security equipment, however, living in Newark might be just fine. Residents reported 1,676 property offenses and 379 violent crimes in 2019.

The median household income in Newark is $45,039, and the per capita earnings amount to $25,259. Their poverty rate is 18.3%, although the median gross rent is lower than the Ohio average at $776, while an average home costs only $169,681.

Columbus

Columbus is the most populous city in the state with 898,553 residents and is the center of the Columbus metropolitan area, the largest one in the state. 

Founded in 1812, this city was set to become the Ohio state capital from its inception. It gained its name to honor the explorer Christopher Columbus, and in addition to being the state capital, it was also named the county seat in 1824. The city had constant growth and industrialization, and by the early 1990s, Columbus became the biggest city in the state by both its size and population.

Columbus is the home of the biggest clearinghouse of chemical information in the world: Chemical Abstracts Service, and Ohio State University is also part of the Metropolitan Area of the Ohio capital.

Around 19.5% of Columbus residents live in poverty, which is above the state average. Residents make less than other Ohioans, with per capita earnings of $29,322, while the median household income is $53,745. Rents are also higher. The median gross rent is $961, and the average value of a house there is $205,329.

The crime rate in Columbus is high, with 3,811 crimes per 100,000 residents, and law enforcement reported 29,974 property offenses and 4,561 violent crimes in 2019. Columbus may not be the safest place to live, but safer options exist in the suburbs of this city. The safest cities in Columbus, Ohio, are the suburbs of Granville, Dublin, and Upper Arlington.

Hamilton

Hamilton is the county seat of Butler County, and it lies on both banks of the Great Miami River. During the 19^th century, the railroad lines near the town attracted new residents from European countries, which is how it grew its population and became an actual city.

The town’s population of 62,082 earns below the state average. The median household income is $47,064, and per capita earnings are $24,230. An alarming 17.1% of people live in poverty, and safety is a serious concern.

If you’ve been asking, “is Hamilton, Ohio safe? The crime rate per 100,000 residents is 4,011, and in 2019, the police reported 2,228 property and 265 violent crimes.

A typical home will cost you around $210,665, and the median gross rent is almost the same as the state average at $809.

While it’s not the safest city, Hamilton is an exciting place to be. Visitors of Hamilton can enjoy plenty of beautiful, historical sights, and the town has three National Historic Districts. 

Akron

Akron is the county seat of Summit County. It is among the major cities in Ohio, with a population of 197,597. The city was founded in 1825 by Paul Williams and Simon Perkins. Akron was also known as the “Rubber Capital of the World.” It gained this nickname due to its long history of tire and rubber manufacturing.

The crime rate in Akron is very high at 4,220 per 100,000 people, which is way above the state average. In 2019, residents reported 6,568 property offenses and 1,782 violent crimes.

Akron is one of the cities that give Ohio a bad name every time somebody wants to know is Ohio a good place to raise a family. Its crime rates are high, and the standard of living is dangerously low, with 23.5% of people live in poverty, which is 10% higher than the Ohio average. The median household income is low at $38,739, and the per capita income is only $23,688.

Buying and renting a property in Akron is cheaper than other Ohio places, with the median gross rent sitting at $759 and an average house costing only $90,238.

Toledo

Toledo is the county seat of Lucas County and is the principal town of the Toledo Metropolitan Area. This town isn’t the largest city in Ohio, but it’s close. The population of 272,779 makes it the fourth most populated town in the state. Toledo is an important port city for the U.S.and is amongst the busiest in the Great Lakes. 

This town was founded in 1833 on the bank of the Maumee River, and after the Miami and Erie Canal was completed, Toledo’s population started growing quickly. The fast growth was supported by the nearby railway line between Chicago and New York City. In the 1880s, Toledo became the home of many glass manufacturers, granting it the nickname, The Glass City of Ohio, USA. 

Toledo’s residents have low incomes, with median household earnings of $37,752 and a per capita income of $22,438. A considerable percentage of people live in poverty at 25.5%, and as such, properties in Toledo won’t cost you as much. The median gross rent is $725, and a typical house costs $92,674.

The crime rate per 100,000 residents in Toledo is high at 4,415 per 100,00 residents, and in 2019, law enforcement reported 2,694 violent and 9,470 property crimes.

Dayton

Dayton is the county seat of Montgomery County, and with a population of 140,407, it’s one of the largest cities in Ohio. The city is known as the home of the Wright brothers, who flew the first successful flight in a powered aircraft.

Its founder, Israel Ludlow, marked the territory of Dayton along the Great Miami River. The city was named after the politician and war veteran Jonathan Dayton, and the (then) town started growing during the War of 1812 when it served as a mobilization point. Dayton went down in history when it became a host of the Dayton Peace Accords between Serbia and Bosnia in 1995.

Dayton’s residents have lower incomes and higher poverty rates than other towns in the state of Ohio. The median household income is $32,540, and per capita, earnings amount to $19,872, with more than 30% of people living in poverty.

Dayton has a crime rate of 5,002 per 100,000 residents, and in 2019, the police reported 1,351 violent and 5,673 property crimes. The median gross rent for the city is only $706, and a typical house costs around $85,356.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is the seat of Hamilton County and the economic and cultural center of Metro Cincinnati. The first settlers populated the city in 1788, and because of its rich history, and stunning architecture, this city is among the cool places in Ohio to visit.

Cincinnati hosts three major sports teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and FC Cincinnati. It used to be called the “Paris of America” due to its fascinating architecture. Some of the architectural wonders sightseers love are the Cincinnatian Hotel, Shillito Department Store, and Music Hall. Cincinnati is famous for being the birthplace of William Howard Taft, the 27^th President of the United States.

Cincinnati has a population of 303,940, which makes it one of the largest in the state, and its per capita income in the city is $30,531, while median household earnings amount to $40,640. Around 26% of Cincinnati, Ohio residents live in poverty, which is above the Ohio average, and the median gross rent sits at $738, and a typical house costs $202,318.

The crime rate per 100,000 residents in Cincinnati is 5,147, and in 2019, residents reported 2,562 violent crimes and 13,051 property offenses.

Cleveland

Cleveland is the biggest city on Lake Erie and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. It’s the center of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area and part of the Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area.

The city was founded in 1796 by General Moses Cleaveland. The growth of one of the most populated cities in Ohio was quick and steady, primarily due to its connection to canals and railroad lines and its location near the lake and river shores.

Cleveland is one of the most populated towns in the state, with 381,009 people. Residents earn way below the state average with a per capita income in Cleveland is $21,223, and the median household income is $30,907. Many people living in poverty, with a rate of 32.7%. The median gross rent in the city is $719, which is below the state average, and a typical house costs $88,987.

Those wanting to move to this city and wonder, “is Cleveland, Ohio safe?” will be disappointed. The crime rate per 100,000 residents is 5,984, which is way more than in most other cities in the state. In 2019, there were 17,057 property and 5,791 violent crimes.

On the bright side, Cleveland is also a global city, also known as “Gamma.” It’s full of interesting buildings of historical significance, and some of the sights attractive to visitors are the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and Playhouse Square. They are home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Canton

We’re finishing off our list of cities in Ohio with Canton. Canton is the county seat of Stark County, and It has a population of 70,447, which makes it one of the largest in the state.

Canton is famous for being part of the successful front porch campaign of President William McKinley. In his honor, the McKinley National Memorial and the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum were built. To commemorate his wife’s life, the First Ladies National Historic Site was created, and Canton is the birthplace of the National Football league and the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Canton is also one of the most dangerous cities in Ohio. Its crime rate per 100,000 residents is 6,691. The law enforcement reported 981 violent crimes and 3,712 property offenses in 2019 alone.

Residents’ earnings are much lower than the state average, as the median household income isCounty and $32,287, while per capita incomes amount to only $19,967. To make matters worse, over 30% of people live in poverty.

Canton also has one of the lowest median rent amounts in the state at $671. A typical house in this city costs $128,996.