We already knew several Ohio cities that saw their populations increase.
Now, seven of Ohio’s cities made America’s Best Cities as compiled by Resonance.
“Only in Ohio.” Yes, indeed, only in Ohio! You can tell all your friends what a great place Ohio is.
How did seven (yes, seven!) Ohio cities make this list? According to the rankings, Ohio is an affordable place to live in and a great place to indulge in the arts and rich histories.
Want to know which of these cities in the Buckeye State are loved? Let’s take a closer look.
Columbus takes No. 34 in America's best cities ranking
With a population of roughly 2.1 million people in the metro area, Columbus is the highest-ranking city in Ohio. Resonance describes Columbus as a climbing “Midwest masterpiece” and gives it high marks for cost of living (No. 19 nationally) and internet access (No. 20).
Ohio’s capital is one of the fastest-growing cities and is an economic powerhouse, as evidenced by Intel's plans to open campuses in the area. Columbus also ranks as the best place in the country to start a small business.
Cleveland No. 40 in list of top cities in the U.S.
According to Resonance, Cleveland earns its sport on the best cities list thanks to it meets affordability (No. 17 in average rent) and ingenuity (No. 17 for patents created).
This beautiful Northeast Ohio city is filled with diverse universities, breweries, and restaurants serving delicious fare. Cleveland has been described as “one of the fastest-growing and most diverse, inclusive and welcoming metro areas in the Midwest by 2030,” by David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland.
Cincinnati culture helps it rank No. 42 among the best cities
Just like Cleveland, its cross state cousin, Cincinnati is considered a hidden gem in Ohio. The Queen City's stunning parks, hotels, and music halls add to it's thriving nightlife scene, which Resonance ranked No. 30 in the U.S.
Don’t forget Paycor Stadium, where artists such as Luke Combs perform live concerts and the NFL's Bengals help the city rank No. 17 for its professional sports teams.
Cincinnati is also one of the national leaders for patents, as reflected by its No. 15 ranking in that metric by Resonance.
Akron takes No. 63
Another one! Akron is ranked the 63rd-best American city. This city is known for its wealthy estates and is home to several historic buildings.
In addition, Akron is home to eight Fortune 500 firms and has the twelfth-lowest average rent in the U.S., which contributes to its No. 4 spot for cost of living, per Resonance. With infrastructure investments and projects, Akron is projected to create 2,000 jobs and generate millions in revenue within the next 20 years.
Dayton takes No. 68
Want to know the history of aerospace? Dayton has the info. Enjoy the city’s rich history of the Wright Brothers, and take a visit to the Huffman Prairie Flying Field and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Dayton also is a place to immerse yourself in the arts. Places like The Bach Society, Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the Dayton Playhouse are in store to expand your imagination.
The Southwest Ohio city rates well for average rent (No. 9) and cost of living (No. 12), two factors that help it join Ohio's list of the best cities in the U.S.
Toledo takes No. 71
It’s not over yet. Toledo, also known as The Glass City, is an art and culture hub with the world-renowned Toledo Museum of Art, events for opera and ballet, and a world-class zoo.
Its economy quietly boasts several Fortune companies, such as Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Owens Corning. The city has the fifth-cheapest rent in America and is continuously working to improve livability.
Youngstown takes No. 95
And last, but not least, Youngstown takes the spot as America’s most affordable city. Believe it or not, the median house price is around $137,546, and the median monthly rent is $706, giving the city the No. 1 spot in that category in the Resonance rankings. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Mahoning County seat is No. 3 overall for cost of living.
Youngstown began as a steel mill powerhouse as America developed. Now, it is a spot for arts and culture, with spots like the Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown Symphony and the Butler Museum of American Art. If you’re looking to take a peaceful nature walk, Youngstown also has beautiful parks, such as the 5,000-acre Mill Creek MetroParks recreational area.
How Resonance decided seven Ohio cities are among the best in the U.S.
Resonance’s methodology with these rankings uses core statistics from more than 400 global cities, and utilizes resident and visitor perception indicators. Metropolitan areas with more than half a million were taken into account, as well as user-generated data, such as ratings and reviews, from online sources like Google, Tripadvisor, and Instagram. With this came the 100 Best Cities list.
Three key factors in these rankings include livability, lovability, and prosperity.
