If you have been scouting western Ohio for a good place to live and raise a family, and your compass landed on Westlake, then your taste for good living is through the roof.

It’s not just a great place for young professionals and families, Westlake is a dream spot for retirees. 

Let’s look at some of the qualities of this city that can impact whether it’s a good place to live or not.

Westlake — The Best of Both Worlds

Westlake is like the best of both worlds — suburban life and big-city vibes. 

Westlake is located in Cuyahoga County, just west of downtown Cleveland, you will hit the suburban city of Westlake. 

Being a stone’s throw away from Cleveland, a city with culture, sports, and an airport that can whisk you anywhere, Westlake cements its place as an area to escape the hustle and bustle typical of big cities.

What’s even more beautiful about this GPS location is that it’s less than a 30-minute drive away from the heart of downtown Cleveland. 

Note:

The best part is that you get a quieter suburban feel in Westlake with enough space to breathe. It’s also super convenient for commuters to navigate the city through I-90.

Migration Trends and Bustling Economy

In the past decade, Westlake’s population has seen interesting movements. 

While the rising locals’ numbers are steady, Westlake, Ohio population growth suffered a 0.8% decline between 2020 and 2023. 

However, these numbers are currently climbing but not exploding at a crazy rate. Westlake local movers were quite booked between June and August 2024 as over 3,000 people moved to Westlake. 

• Population: 34,228
• Median Household Income: $103,658
• Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
• Poverty Rate: 5%

Although people moved in their tens and hundreds from Westlake to a few Ohio cities and other states, it wouldn’t be mere speculation to say that people are catching on to Westlake’s charm. 

With a population just above 34,000, Westlake’s increasing population means new businesses are popping up. Westlake itself is home to many companies, especially in Crocker Park, which serves as both a shopping destination and a business hub.

Note:

Though a smaller city, Westlake benefits from its proximity to Cleveland and the greater Northeast Ohio region, where there are plenty of job opportunities across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

Cost of Living in Westlake

The cost of living in Westlake is not dirt-cheap, but it’s more affordable than in bigger cities with a similar lifestyle. 

At 11% higher than the national average, you could say it is reasonable, especially since Westlake is considered one of the wealthy places in Ohio.Even though housing here is 138% higher than the national average, you can find affordable homes. City data shows that about 72% of residents own their homes, which means the price isn’t exactly that over-the-roof.

• Average House Rent: $2,600
• Median Home Value: $465,000

Is Westlake, Ohio, a good place to live, then? Perhaps. 

If there’s any financial break to catch here, you will get it from healthcare, transportation, and utilities.

Cost of Living Category	Compared to the National Average
Housing	138% higher
Utilities	0%
Groceries	1% higher
Transportation	2% lower
Healthcare	5% lower

 

Taxes — The Necessary Evil

Ohio’s city taxes are rather complex. Most residents pay two different income taxes based on where they work and reside. 

A resident who works in Westlake but lives elsewhere will pay an income tax at the rate of 1.5% in Westlake and another in the city of residence.

This extra taxation can be anything between the rate of 0.5% and 2.0%. However, in Westlake, you only pay 0.5% if you have already paid 1% in another workplace. There are no other taxes for paying more than 1% in other places where you work.

• Income Tax Rate: 1.5%+
• Sales Tax Rate: 8.0%
• Property Tax Rate: 1.91%

So, is Westlake, Ohio, a good place to live? 

While Westlake isn’t a low-tax haven, it’s also not crazy high compared to nearby cities. You will pay local income tax, property tax, and sales tax on all your fun purchases. 

Schools Worth Bragging About

The Westlake City School District, which serves the city, provides more than hope for families asking, ‘Is Westlake, Ohio, a good place to live?’ 

Students here receive the best of the best when it comes to education. The district’s school quality rating is better than 94.4% of all U.S. school districts.

Some of the best schools here include:

• Westlake Elementary School
• Westlake High School
• Dover Intermediate School
• Lee Burneson Middle School
• Menlo Park Academy

Crime Rate

Westlake has a safety rating better than 75% of all U.S. cities. It’s no mean feat to achieve this by reducing crime rates to levels lower than both the state and national averages.

When there’s a 1 in 2,119 chance of being a victim of violent crime, you just know Westlake is where you can take evening strolls (Reference: the Ohio average number is 1 in 341). 

With property crime sporting a 1 in 229 chance of falling victim, you can leave your bike on the porch without too much worry. 

per 1,000 residents	Westlake Median	Ohio Median	National Median
Violent Crime	0.47	2.94	4.0
Property Crime	4.36	17.83	20.0

 

Outdoor Recreation You Will Love

Do you love the great outdoors? Westlake’s got you covered! 

From lush parks to nature trails, there’s no shortage of spots to stretch your legs or simply soak in the beauty. The crown jewel is the nearby Lake Erie, where you can boat, fish, or picnic with a lakefront view. 

Other top-tier places you can visit for fun activities include:

• Crocker Park
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park
• Westlake Historical Society
• Nordstrom Rack
• Bradley Woods Reservation

Final Verdict: Should You Move to Westlake?

If you have tagged the Cleveland area as the ‘IT location’ for your move, you’ll be better off moving to Westlake. 

There is no need to ask endless versions of ‘Is Westlake, Ohio, a good place to live?’

Westlake cushions you from the relatively high cost of living typical of the Cleveland area. All the while, you live just minutes away from the big city and still save yourself from the associated noise and bustle.

Sure, you will pay slightly higher-than-average taxes, especially with property taxes, but the median home value is not sky-high anyway. 

Then, throw in the gift of excellent schools, low crime rates, and relaxation spots; Westlake is a winner.