Ohio
Ohio ranks #33 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 50.1/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (84/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
How Does Ohio Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Ohio
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Dublin | A+ | 67.7 | 49,031 | $155,282 | 77.8 | 94.5 |
| 358 | Lakewood | B | 56.3 | 50,229 | $65,925 | 184.5 | 105.5 |
| 414 | Kettering | B | 55.0 | 57,442 | $71,619 | 95.3 | 92.3 |
| 433 | Parma | B | 54.6 | 78,952 | $66,681 | 126.7 | — |
| 574 | Cuyahoga Falls | C+ | 51.6 | 50,864 | $70,645 | 208.1 | — |
| 713 | Columbus | C | 48.1 | 909,074 | $62,350 | 534.4 | 94.5 |
| 717 | Elyria | C | 48.0 | 52,833 | $53,204 | 203.7 | 93 |
| 765 | Newark | C | 46.5 | 50,393 | $58,920 | 283.5 | 112.5 |
| 773 | Euclid | C | 46.0 | 48,991 | $48,696 | 188.9 | — |
| 822 | Middletown | D | 44.6 | 50,607 | $54,985 | 192.9 | 102.6 |
| 826 | Hamilton | D | 44.5 | 63,124 | $54,293 | 298.2 | — |
| 889 | Cincinnati | D | 42.2 | 311,112 | $54,314 | 742.8 | 94.1 |
| 933 | Akron | D | 40.2 | 188,692 | $50,025 | 798.6 | 92.8 |
| 935 | Lorain | D | 39.9 | 65,330 | $41,480 | 487.5 | — |
| 980 | Toledo | F | 35.8 | 265,306 | $46,302 | 1162.1 | 90.4 |
| 981 | Dayton | F | 35.4 | 135,507 | $45,995 | 1182.1 | 92.3 |
| 982 | Youngstown | F | 35.4 | 59,605 | $34,746 | 677.2 | 86 |
| 985 | Cleveland | F | 34.9 | 362,670 | $39,041 | 1725.6 | 93 |
| 988 | Springfield | F | 34.6 | 58,410 | $45,883 | 1263.3 | 88.7 |
| 993 | Canton | F | 32.9 | 69,196 | $39,692 | 1004.9 | 88.5 |
Best Cities in Ohio for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin | 67.4 | 64.1 | 93.7 | 65.8 |
| 2 | Lakewood | 62.5 | 61.4 | 83.6 | 76.6 |
| 3 | Kettering | 61.9 | 58.7 | 90.2 | 81.0 |
| 4 | Parma | 61.3 | 56.7 | 94.0 | 73.9 |
| 5 | Cuyahoga Falls | 56.7 | 51.4 | 79.9 | 73.6 |
More Midwest States
Ohio Rankings Overview
Ohio earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 50.1 out of 100, ranking #33 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (84/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (10/100).
Economy & Employment in Ohio
With an unemployment rate of 4.1% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Ohio performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $63,715, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Ohio
Ohio's violent crime rate of 303 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Ohio
Ohio ranks #37 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #23 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Ohio is 76.5 years, and the high school graduation rate is 86%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Ohio
Ohio's total tax burden is 9.36% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6%. The effective property tax rate is 1.43% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.29%.
Housing & Affordability in Ohio
The median home price in Ohio is $241,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 92 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
Environment in Ohio
Ohio has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 6% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 8.3 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Ohio
Ohio's population growth rate is +0.2% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.2 per 1,000 residents. 92.3% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Ohio
The top-ranked cities in Ohio based on our composite scoring are Dublin, Lakewood, and Kettering. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ohio's overall ranking?
Ohio ranks #33 out of 50 states with a composite score of 50.1/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Ohio a good place to live?
Ohio scores 50.1/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Ohio?
The violent crime rate in Ohio is 303 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Ohio's economy compare?
Ohio's median household income is $63,715 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Ohio?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Ohio are Dublin, Lakewood, and Kettering.
How does Ohio rank for families?
Ohio ranks #28 of 50 states for families with a score of 60.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Ohio rank for retirees?
Ohio ranks #29 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 56.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Ohio rank for remote workers?
Ohio ranks #33 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 52.6/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.