9 Finest 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 will be greeted with a smile and well mannered hi there irrespective 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 individuals. Healthcare, protection, and training are three of the town’s most vital industries, with an unemployment charge of 4 %, simply 0.1 % greater than the nationwide common. 

Chambal defined that the comparatively low value of dwelling (about six % beneath 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 individuals to the realm.

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

Cincinnati

With 10 % of Cincinnati lined in parks, the third-largest metropolis in Ohio can be one of many nation’s greenest. Sports activities followers right here have three skilled groups to assist, however it’s artwork lovers who most likely have it finest. With over two dozen top-notch museums and not less than 10 efficiency venues and theaters, the town is an artwork lover’s paradise. 

“Whereas many of the state could be very flat, Cincinnati is ready amongst rolling, inexperienced hills overlooking the Ohio River, providing outside 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 forms of houses — from historic Victorian and craftsman homes to trendy flats and concrete lofts. However better of all, residence values listed here are nicely beneath the nationwide common — at the moment round $235,00, in accordance with Zillow.

Toledo

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo is the right residence base for these in search of scenic waterfront views, a laid-back life-style, and countless outside recreation. The town’s bustling artwork scene contains 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 group. However most significantly, the town blends low value of dwelling — nearly 28 % beneath the nationwide common — and reasonably priced housing. In actual fact, Toledo’s actual property market was ranked finest within the nation in 2024. Presently, median residence values stand at about $116,000, additionally attracting many retirees on a price range.

Youngstown

This stunning northeast Ohio metropolis not too long ago outperformed 150 city areas nationwide and ranked first in U.S. Information & World Report’s listing of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to retire. Because of its bustling arts scene, wonderful healthcare services, proximity to bigger cities, and reasonably priced value of dwelling (18 % decrease than the nationwide common), Youngstown is a wonderful 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 best way in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, because of our nationally acknowledged enterprise incubator,” Patrick Burgan, proprietor and dealer at Burgan Actual Property, defined.

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

Cleveland

If entry to world-class healthcare services is a precedence, then Cleveland needs to be on the high of your listing. The 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 kids’s hospitals. 

“Including to Cleveland’s attraction is that we’re recognized for range and tradition. College Circle is a hub for international arts, greater training, tradition, and science,” Janis McCormick, regional vp of Ohio East at Howard Hanna Actual Property Companies/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, stated, noting that the town’s year-round cultural festivals, native craft brewery scene, and road festivals additionally add to its attraction with newcomers. The town can be ranked certainly one of the very best locations to retire within the nation, the place month-to-month bills do not exceed $1,700.

When it comes to actual property, McCormick defined that the town provides a spread of architectural kinds.

“For example, we now have city, nation, and small-town settings. You could find a bungalow on the river only a quick stroll from the town middle or a 10-acre ranch property. We even have quite a lot of very neat midcentury trendy houses constructed across the time of the Frank Lloyd period which are sprinkled all through Cleveland,” she added. 

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

Columbus

To say that Columbus is booming proper now could be an understatement. The town’s inhabitants grew sooner than another metropolitan space within the U.S. within the second half of 2023, primarily because of its reasonably priced value 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 Companies, stated. “Right here, you’ve got received every little thing from huge Fortune 500 corporations to buzzing startups and an entire spectrum of industries, from tech to healthcare. Throw in top-notch faculties and a vibe that is all about household, and you have got your self greater than only a place to go to.”

10 % of the town’s inhabitants is aged 65 or over, which is sweet 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 worth is round $240,000, and Wills defined that as values hold climbing, those that put money into property proper now are taking a look at a “candy return down the road.”

Akron

Similar to a couple of different locations in Ohio, Akron was additionally not too long ago spotlighted as a sought-after vacation spot for retirees, however the metropolis, which can be the birthplace of NBA famous person LeBron James, has loads to supply households and younger professionals. A phenomenal parks system, wonderful healthcare services, arts facilities and museums, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and a Minor League Baseball group are simply among the facilities and concrete services that make Akron a beautiful place to dwell.

“Akron has grown a lot through the years. Companies are booming and individuals are excited to maneuver right here,” Ann Kyner, vp and regional supervisor at Howard Hanna Actual Property Companies, stated. “We have now a bit of of every little thing 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 driving the paths.”

And whereas actual property costs have gone up over eight % since final yr, the median residence worth has remained below $130,000, in accordance with Zillow.

Newark

If bustling Columbus is just not your cup of tea, contemplate this mid-size city of about 50,000 simply 40 miles east of Ohio’s capital. Newark is present process a serious downtown restoration, making the city much more enticing to new residents. The 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 faculties, and reasonably priced residence costs — the present median home worth is $217,000, up 10 % since final yr.

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. Certainly one 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 could 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 provide an amazing number of faculties, facilities, and residential kinds equivalent to ranches, flats, and new building residences.