Parma 82 Exceptional
Parma Livability #72 ranked city in Ohio#1,238 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Parma, OH - A Suburban Gem with Proximity to Cleveland

Living in Parma, OH offers a suburban lifestyle with the convenience of being close to a major urban center. Located just south of Cleveland, Parma is the largest suburb in Cuyahoga County and one of the largest in the state of Ohio. The city is known for its strong sense of community, well-maintained neighborhoods, and convenient location, making it an attractive place to live for families and professionals alike.

Parma’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from local diners to family-friendly restaurants. The city’s Ridge Park Square and The Shoppes at Parma are popular destinations, featuring a variety of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. The annual Parma Rib ‘N Rock festival is a local favorite, bringing the community together to enjoy food, music, and family-friendly activities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Parma provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including James Day Park and Ridgewood Lake Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Cleveland Metroparks system, known as the 'Emerald Necklace,' provides additional opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of Northeast Ohio.

Parma is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to preserving its local heritage. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Lights Parade and the Polish Constitution Day Parade, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the community spirit. The city’s proximity to Cleveland means that residents can easily access the amenities of a major city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.

For those considering a move to Ohio, Parma offers a perfect blend of suburban comfort, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, community events, or easy access to Cleveland, living in Parma, OH provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Parma

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Parma?

Located in the state of Ohio, Parma is a moderately-sized city with a population of 80,602 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,025 people per square mile, Parma is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Parma could be considered less diverse than other cities. 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 Parma 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.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Parma, Ohio. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Parma and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Parma to Ohio and the national average.

Using data and statistics Parma has received a livability score of 81/100. This score is ranked in the 95th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Parma would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Parma also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Parma ranks well for amenities (A+), crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+).

If you're living in Parma, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Parma an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

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. Parma has a violent crime rate of 119 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Parma excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Parma 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 Parma. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Parma are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Parma come in at $211,063, which is 10.1% lower than the Ohio average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Parma, the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 22.6% lower than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Parma

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      Parma transportation information

      Statistic Parma Ohio National
      Average one way commute25min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.3%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.2%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Parma, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.