Westlake 81 Exceptional
Westlake Livability #79 ranked city in Ohio#1,226 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Westlake

PROS
  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

New Real Estate Listings in Westlake Area
Search Homes for Sale in Westlake, OH

What's it like Living in Westlake?

Westlake is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Ohio. The city has a population of 32,154 residents. According to the most recent Census, 88% of Westlake residents are White, 5% Asian and 3% Black. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Westlake your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Westlake, Ohio could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Westlake and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Ohio and national averages.

Westlake has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #112 in Ohio and #1,831 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Westlake could be a great choice! Westlake has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Westlake has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Westlake. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Westlake has a violent crime rate of 42 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Westlake has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.73%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Westlake, the average school test scores reached an impressive 86%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Westlake an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Westlake can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Westlake meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Westlake. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Westlake are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Westlake come in at $263,500, which is 99.8% higher than the Ohio average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Westlake, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 7.7% higher than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Westlake

See all the best places to live around Westlake

How Do You Rate The Livability In Westlake?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Westlake, OH Livability

      vs

      Westlake transportation information

      Statistic Westlake Ohio National
      Average one way commute25min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.0%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.4%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home12.5%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Westlake, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).