Shaker Heights 89 Exceptional
Shaker Heights Livability #15 ranked city in Ohio#134 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Shaker Heights

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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.

What's it like Living in Shaker Heights?

Shaker Heights, Ohio is a mid-sized city with a population of 27,985 residents. With a population density of 4,436 people per square mile, Shaker Heights is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (55%) and Black or African American (36%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Shaker Heights, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 24 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Shaker Heights could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Ohio if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Shaker Heights, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, education, employment, housing and more.

Shaker Heights, OH receives 89 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #11 in Ohio and #100 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Shaker Heights ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Shaker Heights also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Shaker Heights ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+) Unfortunately for Shaker Heights, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

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 Shaker Heights, the average school test scores reached an impressive 73%, 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 Shaker Heights an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Shaker Heights 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Shaker Heights. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Shaker Heights are affordable. The median home price for Shaker Heights homes is $434,247, which is 84.9% higher than the Ohio average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Shaker Heights, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 6.5% higher than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Shaker Heights

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Shaker Heights?

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Compare Shaker Heights, OH Livability

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      Shaker Heights transportation information

      Statistic Shaker Heights Ohio National
      Average one way commute24min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.6%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.4%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.7%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home11.0%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Shaker Heights, 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.