Ohio, a Mid-Western state and the seventh most populous state in the U.S., is known for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
It is consistently ranked very high in business, but it also offers its residents many benefits, such as a low cost of living, great recreational opportunities, and very good schooling.
If you are considering making the move to Ohio, you may want to weigh out some of the advantages and disadvantages of moving to this state.
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Pros of Living in Ohio
Ohio is known for many great things, including good food, a family-friendly lifestyle, good job opportunities and so much more.
1. Great theme parks
Ohio has some of the best theme parks in the world, fifteen to be exact.
Take Cedar Point in Sandusky, for example.
This theme park is more of a resort.
It features on-property hotels and even has its beach.
In addition, it has two outdoor waterparks, 18 roller coasters, and a total of 71 rides.
In addition to the different theme parks, there are great food stalls, as well as other forms of entertainment right inside the parks, such as haunted mazes, concerts, and other shows that are all family-friendly.
2. Decent cost of living
Ohio is ranked as the 9th most inexpensive state to live in.
Compared to the national average of 100, Ohio scored 81.2 in terms of cost of living.
That means that Ohio is just below the national average with housing being just over half of what the national average is sitting at a cool 60.9.
The average home price is $179,700, which is approximately half of what the national average is of $291,700.
Utilities, transportation, and groceries nearly even out with the national average.
3. Great job opportunities
Some of the top employers in the US call Ohio home.
The economy has made a major comeback in this state in recent years and recruitment drives have been booming in industries like manufacturing, IT, tourism, and the medical field.
The top hiring employers include Cleveland Clinic Hospital System, Honda Motor Company, and Berkshire Hathaway, to mention a few.
Some occupations that are experiencing a high demand include statistician, occupational therapist, operations analyst, home health aid, nurse practitioner, and physical therapist.
The current unemployment rate in the state is still relatively high, but not as high as in some other states.
The unemployment rate in Ohio as of May 2022 is 3.9%.
The good news for Ohio’s recovering economy is that there are a sufficient number of job vacancies and a sufficient number of people that can fill those vacancies.
Several jobs in Ohio are currently in high demand and include customer service representatives, home health aides, office clerks, truck drivers, nursing assistants, and farmers, to mention a few.
4. Great food
If you are in the market to taste authentic America, then Ohio is the state to visit or move to.
For starters, the Cleveland-style BBQ is truly Ohio and authentically American.
If you love hamburgers, then you must try the Akron native, The Galley Boy.
It is served in diner-style restaurants where you simply flicker your car lights for service and servers sprint between the cars and the restaurant to serve natives this amazing burger.
Another Cleveland legend is the Polish Boy.
This delicious sandwich consists of kielbasa topped with crispy fries, creamy coleslaw, and zesty barbecue sauce, neatly tucked inside a hotdog bun.
If you love chili, then you will love the Cincinnati chili, which is served over spaghetti and topped with cheese.
The Pierogi, which is authentically Polish, pays homage to the eastern European heritage of this working-class community.
And, of course, it is absolutely delicious.
These are just some of the amazing dishes that you can expect to eat in this state.
5. Kind and hospitable people
Ohio residents live up to their Midwestern reputation as being kind, helpful, and friendly people.
You will instantly feel at home in this state as neighbors are eager to welcome new residents and to lend a hand to those in need.
The residents of Ohio are unpretentious and humble.
Do not be surprised if a stranger strikes up a conversation with you while standing in line.
And, Ohioans love to give out candy, more specifically Buckeyes, which are known as the unofficial candy of Ohio.
Be mindful of this peanut butter fudge covered in chocolate as it does contain nuts.
Cons of Living in Ohio
There are many benefits to living in Ohio, but there are quite a few disadvantages as well to keep in mind before making the big jump and moving to Ohio.
1. Extremely hot summers
The summers in Ohio can get extremely hot and humid and at times may even reach triple digits.
Temperatures can easily reach 90°F (32.2°C) in mid-July.
This can make it rather muggy and uncomfortable.
But it is not the heat or the humidity that is the problem, it is the combination of the two that are so very dangerous.
The extreme weather may bring torrential rain, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes.
2. Brutal winters
Just as the summers in this state are excruciating, the winters can be bitter and brutal.
The winter usually lasts for three months in Ohio, from December to around mid-March.
The average daily weather during this period is 46 degrees and under.
It is advised to avoid the state during the wintertime if you are a tourist, as the winter has the state tightly in its grip and there are no activities that you can participate in during this time other than indoor activities.
The weather is cold, wet, and miserable.
And, because there are not really any mountains in the state, the cold wind that blows through during this time can really exacerbate the situation.
You can expect a 31-day snowfall during the winter with approximately 1 inch of snow.
And, the month that sees the most snowfall in this region is February.
3. High poverty in some areas
It was reported that during the 2020 period, nearly 13.6 % of the population in Ohio was living under the poverty line.
In 2018, the United States Census Bureau report on the federal poverty income threshold indicated that a family of four, two adults, and two children, who earned a combined annual income of less than $25,465 were considered to live in poverty.
Similarly, a family consisting of one adult and one child, living on a combined annual income of $17,308, in the state of Ohio, is considered to be living in poverty.
The highest population in Ohio living in poverty were adults between the ages of 25 and 34.
The report indicated that this demographic group totaled 140,000 candidates within the state of Ohio who were living in poverty.
These are considered to be alarming numbers as the highest proportion of people living in poverty are actually supposed to be the candidates bringing in the bulk of the income in this state.
4. High crime in certain areas
As with any state, there are pockets that experience much higher rates of crime than other areas.
The same is true for the state of Ohio.
Canton, Cleveland, and Whitehall were just some of the cities that experienced much higher crime rates than that experienced by the state as a whole.
These cities experienced crime rates that were higher than the national average.
These areas experience a mix of property crime and violent crime rates.
The state has now introduced a community crime map to help identify areas that have high crime rates and keep residents and tourists alike informed.
5. Public transport is a problem
Firstly, the public transit system is grossly underfunded and is suffering from a lack of maintenance.
The problem will only worsen if not attended to immediately.
While there are various forms of public transit in the main metropolitan areas, they are lacking in the more rural areas. In addition, the existing system is lacking in routes.
It only serves certain routes in certain areas and you need to find alternative methods of transportation if the public transport system does not travel to your specific destination.
There are currently about 375 buses active in the cities of Ohio which are facing their own challenges due to the fact that they are over 12 years old and more prone to breakdowns.
In addition, the buses are not always on time.
In some cases, the bus may experience a 37% latency.
Pros and Cons of Living in Ohio – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Ohio | Cons of Living in Ohio |
|---|---|
| 1. Great theme parks | 1. Extremely hot summers |
| 2. Decent cost of living | 2. Brutal winters |
| 3. Great job opportunities | 3. High poverty in some areas |
| 4. Great food | 4. High crime in certain areas |
| 5. Kind and hospitable people | 5. Public transport is a problem |
Ohio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Ohio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the crime rate in Ohio?
Overall, Ohio is considered to be one of the safest states to live in America.
Its violent crime rate matched that of the national average for the 2020 period.
There are pockets that experience higher than usual crime rates, but for the most part, this is a fairly safe state to live and raise a family in.
Property crime in the state of Ohio accounts for 88% of all crimes.
What is the most common type of crime in Ohio?
Larceny, theft, and burglary are the most common crimes in this state.
Where is the most dangerous part of Ohio?
Cleveland, Ohio is rated to be the most dangerous city in the whole state.
What is the main attraction in Ohio?
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is undoubtedly the most iconic attraction that the state of Ohio has to offer.
What type of food is the state of Ohio most known for?
The state is most known for its shredded chicken sandwiches.
Living in Ohio is a mixed bag – you get to enjoy world-class theme parks, affordable living costs and friendly neighbors but have to deal with extreme weather conditions, high poverty rates in some areas and an unreliable public transport system.