9 Greatest Locations to Reside in Ohio

Dayton

“Among the best issues about Dayton is that regardless of its measurement, it nonetheless has a small-town really feel — you may be greeted with a smile and well mannered hey regardless of the place you go,” Dayton-based president of Irongate Inc., Realtors Rhonda Chambal stated of this metropolis of over 137,000 residents. Dayton is residence to one of many largest Air Power bases within the nation, using over 30,000 folks. Healthcare, protection, and schooling are three of the town’s most essential industries, with an unemployment price of 4 p.c, simply 0.1 p.c increased than the nationwide common. 

Chambal defined that the comparatively low price of dwelling (about six p.c under the nationwide common), proximity to bigger cities (Cincinnati and Columbus are about an hour away), good-rated college districts, numerous eating choices, and a wealthy cultural scene appeal to folks to the realm.

One other main draw? In line with Zillow, the median residence worth in Dayton is round $143,000, over $200,000 under the nationwide common.

Cincinnati

With 10 p.c of Cincinnati lined in parks, the third-largest metropolis in Ohio can also be one of many nation’s greenest. Sports activities followers right here have three skilled groups to help, however it’s artwork fanatics who most likely have it greatest. With over two dozen top-notch museums and a minimum of 10 efficiency venues and theaters, the town is an artwork lover’s paradise. 

“Whereas many of the state may be very flat, Cincinnati is about amongst rolling, inexperienced hills overlooking the Ohio River, providing out of doors recreation year-round and a milder local weather than our northern neighbors,” Steve Early, a realtor at Sibcy Cline Realtors/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, added. “From suburbs with giant yards to city dwelling on the streetcar line with award-winning eating solely steps away, this reasonably priced metropolis has by no means been extra vibrant and numerous.”

As a result of the town is rooted in historical past, newcomers can discover all sorts of houses — from historic Victorian and craftsman homes to trendy flats and concrete lofts. However better of all, residence values listed here are nicely under the nationwide common — at the moment round $235,00, in line with Zillow.

Toledo

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo is the proper residence base for these looking for scenic waterfront views, a laid-back life-style, and limitless out of doors recreation. Town’s bustling artwork scene consists of the world-class Toledo Museum of Artwork. And sports activities followers will thrive right here — Toledo has many sports activities venues and a Minor League Baseball staff. However most significantly, the town blends low price of dwelling — virtually 28 p.c under the nationwide common — and reasonably priced housing. Actually, Toledo’s actual property market was ranked greatest within the nation in 2024. At the moment, median residence values stand at about $116,000, additionally attracting many retirees on a price range.

Youngstown

This stunning northeast Ohio metropolis just lately outperformed 150 city areas nationwide and ranked first in U.S. Information & World Report’s checklist of probably the most reasonably priced locations to retire. Because of its bustling arts scene, glorious healthcare amenities, proximity to bigger cities, and reasonably priced price of dwelling (18 p.c decrease than the nationwide common), Youngstown is a superb place to name residence, whether or not you are a younger skilled or a senior.

“On the enterprise spectrum, Youngstown is residence to a number of corporations, together with the DeBartolo Company, Steelite Worldwide, and Gasser Chair. Youngstown has efficiently modified the narrative from ‘Rust’ to ‘Tech Belt,’ main the way in which in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, because of our nationally acknowledged enterprise incubator,” Patrick Burgan, proprietor and dealer at Burgan Actual Property, defined.

And though residence costs are on the rise, they’re nonetheless way more reasonably priced than in different areas of the nation; the median residence value within the Mahoning Valley is $178,000.

Cleveland

If entry to world-class healthcare amenities is a precedence, then Cleveland must be on the high of your checklist. Town is residence to 2 of the most important multi-branch medical facilities within the nation, The Cleveland Clinic and College Hospitals, in addition to a number of youngsters’s hospitals. 

“Including to Cleveland’s attraction is that we’re identified for variety and tradition. College Circle is a hub for world arts, increased schooling, tradition, and science,” Janis McCormick, regional vp of Ohio East at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, stated, noting that the town’s year-round cultural festivals, native craft brewery scene, and avenue festivals additionally add to its attraction with newcomers. Town can also be ranked one in all one of the best locations to retire within the nation, the place month-to-month bills do not exceed $1,700.

By way of actual property, McCormick defined that the town provides a spread of architectural kinds.

“As an illustration, we’ve city, nation, and small-town settings. Yow will discover a bungalow on the river only a brief stroll from the town middle or a 10-acre ranch property. We even have lots of very neat midcentury trendy houses constructed across the time of the Frank Lloyd period which can be sprinkled all through Cleveland,” she added. 

Median residence values in Cleveland hover round the $100,000 mark, which makes the town some of the reasonably priced city areas within the nation.

Columbus

To say that Columbus is booming proper now can be an understatement. Town’s inhabitants grew quicker than every other metropolitan space within the U.S. within the second half of 2023, primarily because of its reasonably priced price of dwelling and housing. 

“It’s a goldmine for anybody trying to transfer their profession up a notch,” Julie Wills, an actual property agent at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers, stated. “Right here, you’ve got bought all the things from large Fortune 500 corporations to buzzing startups and an entire spectrum of industries, from tech to healthcare. Throw in top-notch colleges and a vibe that is all about household, and you have got your self greater than only a place to go to.”

10 p.c of the town’s inhabitants is aged 65 or over, which is nice information for many who wish to retire right here, as the town additionally provides loads of actions for seniors.

Dwelling costs in Columbus have been on a gradual upward trajectory for the previous eight years, with no signal of slowing down. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless reasonably priced for first-time patrons. The median residence value is round $240,000, and Wills defined that as values hold climbing, those that spend money on property proper now are taking a look at a “candy return down the road.”

Akron

Identical to just a few different locations in Ohio, Akron was additionally just lately spotlighted as a sought-after vacation spot for retirees, however the metropolis, which can also be the birthplace of NBA celebrity LeBron James, has lots to supply households and younger professionals. A stupendous parks system, glorious healthcare amenities, arts facilities and museums, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and a Minor League Baseball staff are simply among the facilities and concrete amenities that make Akron a beautiful place to dwell.

“Akron has grown a lot through the years. Companies are booming and persons are excited to maneuver right here,” Ann Kyner, vp and regional supervisor at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers, stated. “We’ve a bit of all the things right here — from charming historic houses to colonial and ranch-style residences. Simply outdoors our downtown space, there are communities with horses and stables. It does not take a lot of a drive past the town middle earlier than you discover a extra rural vibe, full with equestrians using the paths.”

And whereas actual property costs have gone up over eight p.c since final 12 months, the median residence worth has remained beneath $130,000, in line with Zillow.

Newark

If bustling Columbus just isn’t your cup of tea, think about this mid-size city of about 50,000 simply 40 miles east of Ohio’s capital. Newark is present process a significant downtown restoration, making the city much more engaging to new residents. Town is a good place for households because of its many parks and inexperienced areas (the 775-acre Blackhand Gorge State Nature Protect is close by), good colleges, and reasonably priced residence costs — the present median home worth is $217,000, up 10 p.c since final 12 months.

Canton

Highlighted because the third-best rising housing market within the nation in a latest report by The Wall Road Journal and Realtor.com, Canton is an under-the-radar city an hour south of Cleveland. One in every of its most well-known landmarks is the Soccer Corridor of Fame, however Canton is chock-full of galleries, museums, parks, and top-notch eating spots.

“Canton may be very reasonably priced and stuffed with locations for journey and new experiences,” Dominic Fonte, an actual property agent at Cutler Actual Property/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, defined, noting that the city’s neighborhoods supply a terrific number of colleges, facilities, and residential kinds akin to ranches, flats, and new development residences.