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Cuyahoga County, OH

RANK #179 / 996  ·  POP 1,256,620  ·  OH

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.2%

Cuyahoga County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Cuyahoga County?

Shaker Heights, a planned community known for its architecture and green spaces, offers a distinctive entry point to Cuyahoga County. Located in Northeast Ohio, the county is anchored by Cleveland and sits along the southern shore of Lake Erie. Commutes to downtown Cleveland are generally short, with public transit options available. The community feel varies across the county's diverse towns, from urban neighborhoods to lakeside communities like Bay Village. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with the Cleveland Metroparks' "Emerald Necklace" offering trails and waterfalls, and a portion of Cuyahoga Valley National Park providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and paddling.

Life in the county offers a mix of urban amenities and suburban living. Many residents own their homes, and the county features numerous parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. Educational opportunities are available through various public school districts, including those in Bay Village, Shaker Heights, and Solon. The economy is undergoing a transition from its manufacturing past to a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on sectors like technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. Major institutions like the Cleveland Clinic contribute to the region's standing in medical research. Efforts are underway to foster private-sector job growth and ensure equitable economic opportunities across the county's diverse communities.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.0x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
+4.8%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.6

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Cuyahoga County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
1,256,620
-0.56% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,074
Median Home Value
$168,700
+4.76% 12mo
Median Rent
$952
Average Annual Pay
$75,134
+5.0% YoY
Employment
705,152
+0.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3561
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.9%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$205,000
Days on Market
46
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.0
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
29.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
22.0%
Building Permits (2024)
1,685
Single-Family Permits
663

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$379M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Cuyahoga County Solar and Battery Storage Project
Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, City of Painesville
$129M Planned
I-90 Central Interchange Pavement and Bridge Replacements
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
$50M Under Construction
I-90 Major Rehabilitation (Hillard Blvd. and West Blvd.)
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
$50M Under Construction
H5 Data Centers Cleveland
H5 Data Centers
$50M Operating
Cuyahoga Generating Facility
Northeastern Power Systems
$50M Operating
700 Lake (Luxury Lakefront Residences)
$50M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.5% 25 percentile
Population Growth -0.6% 10 percentile
Income Growth +9.0% 64 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 34 percentile
Home Price Change +4.8% 89 percentile
Rent Growth +4.7% 75 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 89 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuyahoga County, OH a good place to move to?

Cuyahoga County has a Boom Town Index score of 82/100, ranking #179 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $60,074, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Cuyahoga County affordable?

The median home value in Cuyahoga County is $168,700 with median rent at $952/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3561, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Cuyahoga County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +4.8% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

Erie County, PA 92 Kenosha County, WI 92 DuPage County, IL 92 Cass County, MI 92 Geauga County, OH 92 Champaign County, IL 92 Saratoga County, NY 92 Genesee County, MI 92