Safest Cities In Ohio: Low Crime And Secure Living

Discover the safest cities in Ohio, known for their low crime rates, family-friendly environments, and thriving communities.

“What we don’t talk about enough is Ohio’s unique and remarkable quality of life. We are a state of cities, small towns and growing suburbs where life is affordable and destinations within reach. There is no better place to raise a family.”

Bob Taft, former OH governor

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because of its many buckeye trees, and is also called the Birthplace of Aviation, since the Wright brothers created and refined their first aircraft in Ohio. But most people simply see Ohio as a state of opportunity- Ohio has accessible housing (median home value is $255,200), an affordable cost of living (7% lower than the whole US), and many job options within an expanding economy. Ohio could also be known as the All-Weather State, since residents joke that OH weather consists of humidity, cold, snow, and heat- sometimes simultaneously.

In analyzing Ohio’s safest places, it must first be noted that Ohio has 3 major cultural and economic hub cities. There’s Cleveland– located at the state’s north border on the Great Lake Erie. Then there is Cincinnati– the “Queen City”-situated at the bottom southwest border of OH along the Ohio River. Finally there’s the centrally located capital city of Columbus, that is Ohio’s largest city of 900,000, and 2nd largest city in the Midwest (Chicago comes in first for Midwest cities larger than 100,000 people). Many “safe cities” lists contain places that are actually suburbs– for instance Broadview Heights, North Ridgeville, Kirtland, Sagamore Hills, Rocky River and Seven Hills are all repeatedly listed as top secure cities, but these are all actually considered Cleveland suburbs. So safe suburbs of larger cities will be noted as such, along with the other actual cities.

What are the 10 Safest Cities in Ohio?

Broadview Heights is a suburb of Cleveland that is top of safe places to live in Ohio- with the lowest crime rate in the whole state (0.1 per 1,000 residents). Median house prices are $334,554 and average rents of 1 bedroom apartments are $943/month- 82% own their homes. This suburb has 17,150 residents– the population has little diversity. This suburb boasts a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Farm Manor Museum, Brecksvill Reservation and Feels like Home Farm- with easy access to nearby Cleveland’s amenities and jobs.

Olmstead Falls/Olmstead Township. The safety here in these two nearby suburbs is revealed by Olmstead Township’s property crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents, with smaller Olmstead Falls even better with an overall crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 people. These safe places are about 20 miles southwest of Cleveland and are homes to Cleveland State University and Baldwin-Wallace University. Residents in these areas are employed as white collar workers mostly for private companies, in retail, health care, and manufacturing. Additionally Olmstead Falls has a fully restored Victorian economic district, and yearly Olmstead Heritage Days further cement this historic local culture.

Solon is another suburb where residents balance tranquil lifestyles with access to urban conveniences in nearby Cleveland. Solon is considered among the safe places to live in Ohio, with an overall crime rate that is 61.8% lower than the national average. Their proactive police force and active community also work to thwart criminal activities. Affordability is good in Solon- even with the median home prices at $447,500 and rents at $1,390/month (still under the national average of $1,557). This suburb offers employment with major businesses such as Swagelok Company, Nestle Prepared Food Company, and Cleveland Clinic.

North Royalton a suburb south of Cleveland, came in as #13 safest on a recent MoneyGeek list of US safest cities- with an overall crime rate of 3.9/1,000. This medium sized city of 30,000 residents is quite affordable- the median sold price of homes is $289,900, 1 bedroom rents are $1,168/month average. The area is historic- Annis House from 1833 is its oldest home, along with the Smith Rutledge House on State Street (now the James Buckingham Museum). The nearby Rocky River Reservation offers hiking and bird-watching.

Sagamore Hills is sometimes considered a suburb of Cleveland, although it “bridges” both Cleveland and Akron. It is popular with professionals and retirees, with median home values of $264,800 and median rents of $1,406/month. Getting to work from Sagamore Hills means commuting by car- there is little public transportation. Population diversity in the community is mostly based on residents with German, Polish, Irish, Italian, Austrian and Slovak ancestry. Crime statistics are 96.82% lower than the national average- 3.18 per 1,000 for overall crime.

Columbiana is a small safe city about 17 miles from former steel giant Youngstown, OH, and 60 miles from Akron (“Rubber City”). Total crime rates here are 85% lower than the national average. Average home values are $224,836, and the 37.18% of the residents that rent here pay $573/month (63% lower than the rest of the nation). Living costs for Columbiana’s 6,000 residents are even cheaper due to the city having its own electric sub-station. Shaker Woods Festival is a yearly event the city hosts for all who love artisans, crafters, and antiques. Columbiana’s most famous son is global businessman Harvey S. Firestone (founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber company). Firestone Park is land he donated to the city, popular for its gardens, trails, pool house, and Mirror Lake.

Upper Arlington is northwest of Columbus, and in the central part of the state. Overall crime here is lower than both state and national averages (9.92 compared to the national average of 33.37). Zillow posts its average house prices at $586,596- pricey Upper Arlington is recognized as one of the richest places in Ohio (e.g. home to several OH governors, football coaches and Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas). Average apartment prices are $1,487/month though only 21% of residents rent here. Well-maintained vintage homes, highly recognized school options, an art center, golf courses and parks (such as Northam Park) make this suburb of Columbus a very desirable location.

Powell, located in central Ohio, is another safe and affluent suburb of Columbus. The area is known for its famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Additionally, residents and tourists enjoy hiking in Powells’ 1,200-acre Highbanks Metro Park located in the heart of the suburb, or visiting nearby historic attraction Olentangy Indian Caverns. Safety statistics are very good for residents here- Powell has a lower overall crime rate of 8.43 per 1,000 people (compared to the national average of 33.37). Average home values hover around $546,905- median rents are $2,472/month. There are 14,113 residents here- 96.95% work white collar jobs, mostly for private companies. About 90% of workers here make the 18 mile commute to Columbus for jobs with JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide, Honda, L Brands, and Cardinal Health.

Westerville is another safe suburb northeast of Columbus OH– home to private Otterbein University. Today this suburb’s saloons and pubs negate its history as “The Dry Capital of the World.” So strict were the Anti-Saloon League liquor laws there that in 1875 it led to the “Westerville Whiskey Wars” where saloons were repeatedly dynamited. Safety is better now, with an overall crime rate at 28.99 per 1,000 compared with the national rate of 33.37. Westerville’s central OH weather has varied seasons– summers are hot and humid, winters are cold and snowy- June, September and August are considered its most comfortable times.

Mason is located in southwest Ohio, 22 miles north of downtown Cincinnati and is considered its suburb. Known for its main attraction Kings Island Amusement and Water Park, this enclave is also recognized as the host of the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament at its Lindner Family Tennis Center. This suburb is considered safe with a lower overall crime rate of 8.89 compared to a national rate of 33.37. Average house values are $472,059 and rents are about $1,465/month- renters make up 21.55% of Mason’s population. Harris Products Group, subsidiary of Lincoln Electric Co, has manufacturing facilities in Mason- other employers from nearby Cincinnati include Procter & Gamble, Luxottica Retail, and Cintas Corporation.

So this is a good representation of safe cities across The Buckeye State. One recurring positive factor often mentioned about Ohio is its overall affordability. Housing and other costs of living for residents are generally better than cities on either coast. Take for example, the housing affordability in Philadelphia, PA on the East Coast. Comparing housing costs in Philadelphia to Cleveland OH, Philadelphia’s are 111.6% more expensive. With thriving cities that are affordable, low crime, and family-friendly, Ohio offers many options for a safe and secure relocation destination. Welcome to America’s Heartland!