The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Cleveland. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Cleveland.
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1 / 25#25. Twinsburg, Ohio
- Population: 19,291
- Median home value: $272,800
- Median rental price: $1,192
- Top schools nearby: Geo G. Dodge Elementary School (grade A), Samuel Bissell Elementary School (grade A), Twinsburg High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Western Reserve Academy (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
2 / 25#24. Reminderville, Ohio
- Population: 5,305
- Median home value: $303,000
- Median rental price: $1,540
- Top schools nearby: Aurora High School (grade A), Leighton Elementary School (grade A), Harmon Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Western Reserve Academy (grade A+), Hudson Montessori School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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3 / 25#23. Avon Lake, Ohio
- Population: 25,220
- Median home value: $318,800
- Median rental price: $1,274
- Top schools nearby: Learwood Middle School (grade A), Troy Intermediate Elementary School (grade A), Eastview Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A), Magnificat High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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4 / 25#22. Strongsville, Ohio
- Population: 46,165
- Median home value: $259,200
- Median rental price: $1,191
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Kinsner Elementary School (grade A), Surrarrer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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5 / 25#21. Highland Heights, Ohio
- Population: 8,652
- Median home value: $335,800
- Median rental price: $1,783
- Top schools nearby: Mayfield High School (grade A), Millridge Elementary School (grade A), Istem Geauga Early College High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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6 / 25#20. Gates Mills, Ohio
- Population: 2,158
- Median home value: $616,100
- Median rental price: $2,050
- Top schools nearby: Mayfield High School (grade A), Gates Mills Elementary School (grade A−), Mayfield Middle School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
7 / 25#19. Brecksville, Ohio
- Population: 13,618
- Median home value: $354,100
- Median rental price: $1,438
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School (grade A), Highland Drive Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Western Reserve Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), Our Lady of the Elms (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
8 / 25#18. Aurora, Ohio
- Population: 17,227
- Median home value: $362,600
- Median rental price: $1,690
- Top schools nearby: Aurora High School (grade A), Leighton Elementary School (grade A), Harmon Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Western Reserve Academy (grade A+), Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (grade B+), Hudson Montessori School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
9 / 25#17. Orange, Ohio
- Population: 3,432
- Median home value: $415,500
- Median rental price: $2,599
- Top schools nearby: Solon Middle School (grade A+), Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Ballard Brady Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
10 / 25#16. Lakewood, Ohio
- Population: 50,605
- Median home value: $221,100
- Median rental price: $941
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Harding Middle School (grade A), Grant Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A), Magnificat High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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11 / 25#15. University Heights, Ohio
- Population: 13,649
- Median home value: $209,800
- Median rental price: $1,274
- Top schools nearby: Cleveland Heights High School (grade B−), T-Squared Honors Academy (grade B−), Canterbury Elementary School (grade C+)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Akarawut // Shutterstock
12 / 25#14. Chagrin Falls, Ohio
- Population: 4,116
- Median home value: $386,900
- Median rental price: $1,076
- Top schools nearby: Chagrin Falls High School (grade A), Chagrin Falls Middle School (grade A), Chagrin Falls Intermediate Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock
13 / 25#13. Avon, Ohio
- Population: 24,822
- Median home value: $364,600
- Median rental price: $1,364
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Avon Middle School (grade A), Avon Heritage Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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14 / 25#12. Beachwood, Ohio
- Population: 13,846
- Median home value: $362,500
- Median rental price: $1,903
- Top schools nearby: Hilltop Elementary School (grade A+), Beachwood Middle School (grade A+), Beachwood High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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15 / 25#11. Broadview Heights, Ohio
- Population: 19,815
- Median home value: $278,200
- Median rental price: $1,038
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School (grade A), Highland Drive Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), Fuchs Mizrachi School (grade A), Walsh Jesuit High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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16 / 25#10. Moreland Hills, Ohio
- Population: 3,440
- Median home value: $520,200
- Median rental price: $1,663
- Top schools nearby: Solon Middle School (grade A+), Chagrin Falls High School (grade A), Ballard Brady Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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17 / 25#9. Westlake, Ohio
- Population: 34,027
- Median home value: $310,600
- Median rental price: $1,387
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Lee Burneson Middle School (grade A), Westlake Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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18 / 25#8. Fairlawn, Ohio
- Population: 7,697
- Median home value: $227,900
- Median rental price: $958
- Top schools nearby: Herberich Primary Elementary School (grade A), Fort Island Primary Elementary School (grade A), Copley-Fairlawn Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Archbishop Hoban High School (grade A), Our Lady of the Elms (grade A), St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
19 / 25#7. Hudson, Ohio
- Population: 23,005
- Median home value: $417,300
- Median rental price: $2,105
- Top schools nearby: Hudson High School (grade A+), Hudson Middle School (grade A), East Woods Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Western Reserve Academy (grade A+), Archbishop Hoban High School (grade A), Our Lady of the Elms (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
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20 / 25#6. Bay Village, Ohio
- Population: 16,047
- Median home value: $313,600
- Median rental price: $1,125
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Bay Middle School (grade A), Westerly Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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21 / 25#5. Rocky River, Ohio
- Population: 21,552
- Median home value: $304,000
- Median rental price: $1,129
- Top schools nearby: Rocky River Middle School (grade A+), Kensington Intermediate School (grade A+), Rocky River High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Ridge Academy (grade A+), Saint Ignatius High School (grade A+), St. Edward High School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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22 / 25#4. South Russell, Ohio
- Population: 3,966
- Median home value: $387,600
- Median rental price: $1,882
- Top schools nearby: Chagrin Falls High School (grade A), Chagrin Falls Middle School (grade A), Chagrin Falls Intermediate Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Gilmour Academy (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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23 / 25#3. Solon, Ohio
- Population: 24,053
- Median home value: $366,900
- Median rental price: $1,335
- Top schools nearby: Solon High School (grade A+), Solon Middle School (grade A+), Parkside Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Western Reserve Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
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24 / 25#2. Pepper Pike, Ohio
- Population: 6,778
- Median home value: $514,800
- Median rental price: $1,737
- Top schools nearby: Ballard Brady Middle School (grade A), Moreland Hills Elementary School (grade A), Orange High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: D+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
25 / 25#1. Shaker Heights, Ohio
- Population: 29,157
- Median home value: $273,300
- Median rental price: $1,122
- Top schools nearby: Menlo Park Academy (grade A), Shaker Heights High School (grade A), Fernway Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: University School (grade A+), Hawken School (grade A+), Laurel School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
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