What it's like to live in University Heights
University Heights is a small city in Ohio with home prices that remain within reach, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. University Heights deals with air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, a population that has been shrinking, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Affordable home prices
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Air quality concerns
- Shrinking population
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Heavy snowfall — 64" per year
How University Heights compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to University Heights
Based on University Heights's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,014
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $60,280 a year
- 51% of University Heights renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$48,540
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $24,270
- Homes cost 2.5× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,507/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,507 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $242,700. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $242,700 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.1% county unemployment
Unemployment in Cuyahoga County is 4.1%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Cuyahoga County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 84% below US
53 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 778/100k · University Heights Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 26% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 25% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 79°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 26°F and snow a regular occurrence.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 88% above US
68% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
1 public school inside the boundary
There is 1 public school inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is James A Garfield National Historic Site (15 miles away). There are 5 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
University Heights's strongest points are home prices that remain within reach and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are air quality that falls short of national benchmarks and a population that has been shrinking. A year of median rent ($1,507/mo) equals 19% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (25% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes.
Other places near University Heights
All Ohio guides →Moving to Shaker Heights →
2 mi away · pop. 28,922
Rent $1,168/mo · Income $104,073
Compare with University Heights →Moving to Cleveland Heights →
2 mi away · pop. 44,497
Rent $1,216/mo · Income $72,826
Compare with University Heights →Moving to South Euclid →
2 mi away · pop. 21,534
Rent $1,367/mo · Income $81,297
Compare with University Heights →Moving to Beachwood →
2 mi away · pop. 13,865
Rent $2,047/mo · Income $106,748
Compare with University Heights →Not sure University Heights is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.