Cleveland, Ohio, is the largest city on Lake Erie’s shores, and the greater metro area has a population exceeding two million. In addition to award-winning sports teams, Cleveland is famous for the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. South of the city, you can unwind in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which offers a potpourri of recreational activities.
Besides sports, music, and nature, Cleveland enjoys a diverse economy, from steel and banking to the premier Cleveland Clinic. While Cleveland offers plenty of reasons why you’d want to live there, you may prefer a quieter place, we have compiled a list of its 10 best suburbs. If you’re interested in moving to this area, be sure to check out the safest cities in Ohio; the state is a prime spot for retirees as well.
10. Broadview Heights
Population: 19,768
Median Home Value: $292,500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
School Ranking: A
Broadview Heights is located about 16 miles south of downtown Cleveland. If the great outdoors is in your wheelhouse, we’ve found your new niche because this suburb is surrounded by golf courses and parks. The low crime rate is especially appealing to those looking to relocate. Take a look at the new home listings in Broadview Heights.
9. Beachwood
Population: 13,850
Median Home Value: $381,600
Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Located east of Cleveland, Beachwood may be small but it is loaded with all the essential amenities. Want to check out the latest Gucci or Burberry designs? You’ll find these stores in the open-air mall, Beachwood Place. And on those summer days when you are craving a cool plunge, check out the sprawling Family Aquatic Center. Come explore the new home communities in Beachwood.
8. Westlake
Population: 34,036
Median Home Value: $336,100
Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Westlake, located close to Lake Erie, is only about 25 minutes west of Cleveland. The suburb offers an abundance of parks and several 18-hole golf courses. One popular destination is the 795-acre Bradley Woods Reservation, a wildlife oasis with hiking trails and a monarch butterfly waystation. From a summer outdoor concert series to the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Westlake is a place that strives to bring the community together. Which of these new homes in Westlake is your favorite?
7. Bay Village
Population: 15,992
Median Home Value: $332500
Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
School Ranking: A
Bay Village, anchored on the shore of Lake Erie just east of Avon Lake, still retains a hint of New England in its heritage. Huntington Beach is a highlight of the town, dotted with picnic tables, ice cream shops and ample sand for that sandcastle-building contest. Commuters will find a serene atmosphere in Bay Village without being too far from Cleveland. Browse the new homes waiting for you in Bay Village.
6. Solon
Population: 23,970
Median Home Value: $375,700
Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Solon is a vibrant suburb about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland. Grounded in education, the city is home to the Solon Center for the Arts. In the past decade, Solon has been named to the “Best Places to Live” list several times by Money. And Bloomberg Businessweek has ranked Solon as one of the best places to raise kids. With safe neighborhoods, boutiques and a low crime rate, what’s not to love? Find your dream home in Solon.
5. Rocky River
Population: 21,490
Median Home Value: $327,600
Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Rocky River, situated along Lake Erie about 10 miles east of Cleveland, was built for tranquility; it is named after the river that forms the city’s eastern border. The city also can claim a portion of the extensive Rocky River Reservation, which follows much of the river. As you amble along the trails, you can expect to see white-tailed deer and various bird species. It may be just the thing to reel you in. Check out these new homes in Rocky River.
4. Hudson
Population: 23,007
Median Home Value: $444,800
Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
School Ranking: A+
Hudson is a charming suburban city in northern Summit County, Ohio, located between the Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas. Hudson offers a blend of historic character, suburban peace, and access to larger-city resources without all the hustle of an urban core. Find your next new home in Hudson.
3. South Russell
Population: 3,972
Median Home Value: $414,700
Mean Travel Time to Work: 26 minutes
School Ranking: A+
South Russell is a small, upscale village with a quiet, suburban residential feel. Excellent schools and green spaces make this a coveted Cleveland suburb with larger lots.
2. Shaker Heights
Population: 29,004
Median Home Value: $288,000
Mean Travel Time to Work: 23 minutes
School Ranking: A-
Landing in the second spot is Shaker Heights in Cuyahoga County. Historic architecture and welcoming neighborhoods along with ease to a rapid transit system puts this community as highly regarded. It's also recognized for its diversity and quality of life with easy access to all Cleveland has to offer.
1. Pepper Pike
Population: 6,807
Median Home Value: $558,300
Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
School Ranking: A+
One of the smallest suburbs on our list is Pepper Pike, just east of Cleveland. This is proof that sometimes the best things in life come wrapped in small packages. Here you can enjoy a cup of java with friends at a coffee shop or hit the fairways. Could it be your perfect spot? Take a look at the available new home communities in Pepper Pike.
Additional Suburbs
| Suburbs | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank |
| Highland Heights | 8,619 | $342,400 | 22 minutes | A |
| Amherst | 12,796 | $222,700 | 22 minutes | B+ |
| Independence | 7,543 | $305,500 | 22 minutes | A |
| Mentor | 47,215 | $220,500 | 22 minutes | B+ |
| Olmsted Falls | 8,640 | $214,800 | 26 minutes | A |
| Kirtland | 6,913 | $377,500 | 26 minutes | A |
| Wadsworth | 24,302 | $235,600 | 24 minutes | A |
| Avon | 25,082 | $377,100 | 26 minutes | A |
| Mentor-on-the-Lake | 7,117 | $132,600 | 26 minutes | B+ |
| North Royalton | 31,013 | $276,300 | 28 minutes | A |
| Strongsville | 46,022 | $279,600 | 28 minutes | A |
| Chardon | 5,246 | $274,500 | 24 minutes | A- |
| Medina | 26,040 | $231,700 | 27 minutes | A- |
| Oberlin | 8,054 | $207,500 | 15 minutes | B |
| Grafton | 5,665 | $198,500 | 24 minutes | B |
| North Olmsted | 32,031 | $202,400 | 25 minutes | B |
| Brunswick | 35,284 | $233,300 | 27 minutes | B+ |
| Elyria | 52,833 | $142,800 | 23 minutes | C+ |
| Wickliffe | 12,639 | $158,400 | 21 minutes | C+ |
| Berea | 18,330 | $187,600 | 22 minutes | B |
| Willoughby | 23,934 | $206,200 | 22 minutes | B |
| Willoughby Hills | 9,979 | $305,800 | 22 minutes | B- |
| Fairview Park | 17,049 | $225,800 | 24 minutes | B+ |
| Rittman | 6,033 | $153,200 | 24 minutes | B |
| Middleburg Heights | 15,817 | $213,100 | 23 minutes | B- |
| Sheffield Lake | 8,960 | $153,400 | 29 minutes | B- |
| North Ridgeville | 36,403 | $254,700 | 26 minutes | B- |
| Parma | 80,131 | $157,600 | 25 minutes | B- |
| Willowick | 14,182 | $156,100 | 22 minutes | C+ |
| Cleveland Heights | 44,694 | $176,700 | 23 minutes | C+ |
| Eastlake | 17,538 | $168,300 | 23 minutes | C+ |
| South Euclid | 21,606 | $134,800 | 23 minutes | C |
| Lorain | 65,207 | $123,500 | 24 minutes | B= |
| Painesville | 20,453 | $151,400 | 22 minutes | C+ |
| Bedford | 12,960 | $124,900 | 23 minutes | C- |
| Warrensville Heights | 13,585 | $111,200 | 25 minutes | C- |
NewHomeSource pulled data from the U.S. Census Bureau. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Other Ohio Resources
10 Best Places to Live in Ohio
The 10 Best Places to Retire in Ohio
Your Guide to Building a Home in Ohio
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Ohio
Guide to New Home Closing Costs in Ohio
The Most Affordable Cities in Ohio
The Best Suburbs of Columbus, Ohio
Moving To Cincinnati? Here’s Our Relocation Guide
Heather Allen
Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.