Which Cleveland suburbs are the safest places to live? New 2026 rankings use local crime data to identify 15 communities that stand out across the region.
Broadview Heights, Olmsted Falls, and Hinckley Township are the top 3 safest suburbs in 2026.
Affordability and education are additional strengths for some high-ranking suburbs like Berea and Aurora.
The rankings highlight suburbs across Greater Cleveland, not just those closest to the city.
Source: Oliver Peric / Getty
How Cleveland’s Safest Suburbs Were Ranked
Safety can play a major role when deciding where to live in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland Magazine analyzed 2025 crime statistics reported by local communities to determine which Cleveland-area suburbs ranked among the safest for 2026.
The rankings consider violent and nonviolent crimes per 1,000 residents, allowing communities of different sizes to be compared. The results include suburbs from across Greater Cleveland, with some familiar names joined by a few communities that may surprise you.
The 15 Safest Cleveland Suburbs In 2026
None of the communities in the top 15 reported a murder in 2025. Here’s how the region’s safest suburbs ranked.
This list is based on Cleveland Magazine’s 2026 safety rankings using crime statistics from the 2025 calendar year. Rankings reflect reported violent and nonviolent crime data provided by participating suburban communities and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of individual safety.
Broadview Heights made a huge leap to claim the No. 1 spot after ranking 17th for safety last year. The community recorded just 0.40 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2025. No murders, rapes or aggravated robberies were reported, while police recorded eight assaults.
Olmsted Falls
Olmsted Falls takes the No. 2 position and continues a strong run in the safety rankings. The southwest suburb also finished among the top five a year ago. Beyond the numbers, its historic downtown area around Grand Pacific Junction gives Olmsted Falls a distinctive small-town feel within Greater Cleveland.
Hinckley Township
Hinckley Township climbed from outside the top 10 last year all the way to No. 3. The Medina County community also placed fourth in Cleveland Magazine’s overall 2026 Best Places to Live rankings. That combination makes Hinckley one of the strongest performers across both lists.
Kirtland
Kirtland is another major riser, moving from outside last year’s top 10 to become the fourth-safest community in 2026. The Lake County suburb has been gaining ground elsewhere, too. Kirtland jumped from No. 44 overall in 2023 to No. 12 among Cleveland Magazine’s best places to live this year.
Moreland Hills
Moreland Hills rounds out the top five after also finishing among the five safest communities last year. The small East Side suburb offers a more residential setting than many communities closer to Cleveland. It also ranked No. 11 overall among the area’s best places to live for 2026.
Berea
Berea’s No. 6 safety ranking comes with another distinction: affordability. Cleveland Magazine named Berea its best bargain among the 30 suburbs with the lowest median home sale prices. Its median sale price stood at $239,000 in 2025, giving the community an interesting combination of safety and relative affordability.
Brecksville
Brecksville lands at No. 7 for safety while also appearing near the top of Cleveland Magazine’s overall rankings. The suburb finished seventh among the best places to live in 2026. Residents also have convenient access to outdoor recreation through the Cleveland Metroparks and nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Willowick
Willowick checks in at No. 8 and represents Lake County in the top 10. The compact community sits along Lake Erie’s shoreline east of Cleveland. Its appearance this high on the safety list also separates Willowick from many of the higher-priced suburbs that dominate other Greater Cleveland rankings.
Chagrin Falls
The community that ranked No. 1 overall among Cleveland’s best places to live doesn’t quite take the safety crown. Chagrin Falls ranks ninth here after making a 14-position improvement in safety from the previous year. Its strong safety showing joins top marks for education, walkability and entertainment.
Aurora
Aurora rounds out the top 10. The Portage County community also performed well in Cleveland Magazine’s broader 2026 rankings, landing at No. 15 overall. Education is another strength, while its property tax rate was among the lower figures for communities near the top of the overall list.
Fairview Park
Fairview Park ranks No. 11 for safety after making significant progress in Cleveland Magazine’s broader rankings. The West Side suburb reached the overall top 20 for the first time in 2026. Walkability, entertainment options and an improved education score give Fairview Park appeal beyond its safety numbers.
Oakwood Village
Oakwood Village may be one of the bigger surprises on the list. The southeast Cuyahoga County community didn’t crack Cleveland Magazine’s overall top 25, yet it ranks No. 12 when the focus shifts specifically to safety. That illustrates how much the order changes when crime data becomes the primary measure.
Highland Heights
Highland Heights takes the No. 13 spot after improving its safety performance from the previous year. The East Side suburb also ranked No. 13 overall among Cleveland Magazine’s best places to live. That matching position gives Highland Heights one of the more balanced showings across the two rankings.
Bay Village
Bay Village continues to perform well regardless of which quality-of-life category gets the spotlight. The lakefront suburb ranks No. 14 for safety and No. 5 overall among the best places to live. Strong schools and environmental marks helped boost its broader showing.
Mayfield Village
Mayfield Village closes out the top 15 safest suburbs for 2026. The small East Side community also benefits from convenient access to Interstate 271 and sits near several major employment centers. Its appearance here gives the East Side another representative in a safety ranking that stretches across Greater Cleveland.
