What was once considered a small farm state has considerably grown over the past few decades. Ohio is now competing with top states all over the country as one of the best places to live. Why is Ohio a compelling destination to call home? Not only are we home to THE Ohio State Buckeyes (if you bleed scarlet and gray like we do, you get it), the origin of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (can anyone say no to that salted caramel?!), and a major swing state in nearly every national election — Ohio has long held national significance. Practically speaking, Ohio is home to several major employer headquarters, boasts opportunities for job growth, offers big city perks while keeping cost of living affordable, and much more. Thinking of moving to Ohio? Here are some of the top reasons why people are moving to Ohio in 2026.

#1 – Cost of Living in Ohio 

Ohio sits right in that sweet spot in terms of cost of living. Ohio offers several urban, suburban, and rural options, all with different benefits and drawbacks. People often ask — what are the best places to live in Ohio? What are the most affordable places to live in Ohio? Let’s break it down. 

The three major cities in Ohio (the “Three C’s” if you will) are Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. All of these areas offer urban and suburban living with great opportunities for food, fun, and community. Outside of the big cities, you can find rural areas in Ohio where the cost of living decreases but commutes to jobs, hospitals, grocery stores, etc. increase. In our opinion, the game changer for Ohio is truly its capital — Columbus, and all that comes with it. Columbus blends affordability, opportunity, and convenience perfectly. Here are some Columbus specific stats that are comparable to its counterpart cities Cleveland and Cincinnati. This gives us a better picture of Ohio’s overall cost of living. 

Compared to the U.S. national average:

• Columbus’ cost of living is 6% lower (RentCafe)

• Columbus housing costs are 4% lower (RentCafe)

• Healthcare in Columbus is 18–20% cheaper (Apartments.com)

• Transportation in Columbus is 8% cheaper (Apartments.com)

• Groceries in Columbus hover right around the national average. (Apartments.com)

• Ohio utilities are slightly under the national average. (Apartments.com)

Furthermore, Columbus’ cost of living compared to the rest of the state of Ohio is only 2% higher. As we mentioned, Ohio is also home to rural farm areas and small town communities. The fact that Ohio’s capital and largest city is only slightly more expensive than the rest of the state speaks volumes to the affordability of this area.

#2 – Major Employers in Ohio & Job Growth in Ohio 

Moving to Ohio is among one of the largest midwest relocation trends as employers continue to plant their headquarters in the state. Some notable major employers in Ohio (that are all Fortune 500 businesses as well) are: Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio), Fifth Third Bank (Cincinnati, Ohio), Kroger (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Progressive Insurance (Cleveland, Ohio). Ohio is of course also home to The Ohio State University and The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, which alone employ over 60,000 people. 

In terms of job growth, Ohio ranked #3 nationally for economic development projects per capita in 2025, showing high investment and business expansion and opportunity. (JobsOhio)

In CNBC’s “Top States for Business” 2025 report, Ohio ranked #5 for “its business-friendly climate, strong infrastructure, and relatively low costs.” In addition, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services 2030 Job Outlook, projections show that Central Ohio could see 100,000+ new jobs by 2030, highlighting a fast-growing job market.

Ohio is a great place to consider if you are looking to expand your career, or want to feel at ease with reliable job security. 

#3 – Small Town Feel with Big Town Energy

As an Ohio native myself, I can say the growth over the past 20 years, in the Central Ohio area especially, has been explosive. While you can still find good ol’ fashioned corn fields, there are now multiple Chik-Fila-A’s in the Columbus area (wasn’t the case 15 years ago — a real testament to growth in my opinion!). But what’s great about Ohio is that it balances fun things to do, yummy restaurants, upscale shopping while still getting the tight-knit community feel of neighborhood block parties, beautiful parks and scenery, and social events. 

#4 – Education Opportunities

We would be remiss to not mention The Ohio State University as a top recruiter for bringing new people to the state, however, there are multiple other higher education options as well, such as Capital University, Miami University, and Ohio University that are also noteworthy opportunities for people looking to pursue schooling. Whether you are majoring in business, law, music, education, or beyond, these universities offer specialized degrees and programs to fit your unique needs as a student. I am an Ohio Dominican University alum and had some of the best professors and experiences in my years there. Whatever you are looking to pursue, Ohio has an option that’s worth exploring.

#5 – Centralized Travel Location

Ohio offers convenient travel access, with John Glenn International Airport in Columbus and several smaller airports located throughout the state. For frequent travelers or commuters, Ohio works well as a home base thanks to a growing list of nonstop flight options.

Relocating to Ohio? Best Suburbs to Live In

While Ohio as a whole offers strong affordability and opportunity, many people who relocate ultimately find themselves drawn to Central Ohio for its balance of career access, livability, and community-focused suburbs. A few of our favorites are:

Hilliard, Ohio

Located on the west side, Hilliard is known for its great school district, easy highway access to downtown, grocery and dining options galore, and still maintains that small town feel with downtown events such as their annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest. I’ve lived in Hilliard for the past 5 years and have loved getting to know our neighbors, school staff for our kids, and lots of fun coffee shops for whatever caffeinated pick-me-up I may be needing. 

Oakwood has several Hilliard properties that will give you a great renting experience. Pictured above is an indoor ultra-violet pool in The Kensington at Riggins Run community — a testament to the quality of amenities Oakwood communities have to offer. Click on the header link above to learn more about the Hilliard area and find all of Oakwood’s apartment and townhome communities in Hilliard, Ohio. 

Dublin, Ohio

North of downtown, Dublin offers lots of beautiful parks and walking trails, another great school district, and we can’t forget about the Dublin Irish Festival — it’s one of the largest in the U.S.! Bridge Park Dublin is the perfect spot for any kind of date night or meet-up with friends. Overlooking the Scioto River, the views are gorgeous — especially over appetizers and cocktails at one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the water.

Oakwood Management’s Dublin properties are designed with renters in mind. The Wendell, for example, has an on-site sand volleyball court for you, and a dog park for your furry friends! Coupled with options for Flex pay, stainless steel appliances, and beautiful pond and wooded views — home feels pretty good at the end of the day.

Lewis Center, Ohio (Polaris Area)

Lewis Center also well known as Polaris, Ohio may be one of the most fun areas to find yourself in. With Ikea, TopGolf, and lots of delicious restaurants to choose from, the entire Polaris Parkway offers many different opportunities to explore. And if you’re like my husband who works in the area, you may just find your favorite hole in the wall diner — Lei’s Asian Bistro’s wonton soup is unmatched! 

Oakwood management company has multiple communities in the Polaris area. The Pointe at Polaris was voted best apartment complex in Columbus in 2025! You can’t beat the amenities, layouts, or location. Just know, your friends will always be asking to hang at your place! 

Move to Ohio with Oakwood Management Company — Why Professionally Managed Apartments in Ohio are the Right Choice

So is Ohio a good place to move in 2026? We think so! And we know that choosing where you live is a big endeavor. No one wants to deal with the stress of inconsistent or unpredictable service, support, or communication. That is why we advise everyone to live in a professionally managed apartment complex. Oakwood offers apartment and townhome communities all throughout the Central Ohio and Dayton area, making it easy to find your next home in whatever location you may be looking at. With Oakwood you can rest easy — maintenance requests promptly answered, clear communication so nothing is ever a surprise, five star amenities, and a culture that is based on people — our employees and our residents are what we call family. 

Explore our available communities and reach out to share your needs — we’d love to help you find your next home.