Is Fairborn Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fairborn

Is it Safe to Live in Fairborn?

Fairborn, Ohio, presents a complex picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant consideration. The city experiences a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with 16 crimes per one thousand residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This means the chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Fairborn is approximately 1 in 64 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

When compared to other communities of similar size across America, Fairborn’s crime rate is near the average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, relative to Ohio, Fairborn’s crime rate is higher than 84% of the state’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, it is important to note that specific neighborhoods within Fairborn may have varying safety levels, with residents generally considering the southeast part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs in Fairborn

Median Home Prices

The housing market in Fairborn, Ohio, offers a median home value of approximately $202,698 as of the most recent data (as reported by Zillow). This figure represents a 3.2% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median sale price for a home in Fairborn was $195,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

The median property value in Fairborn was $175,000 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). Homes in Fairborn tend to go pending in around 17 days (as reported by Zillow). The median sale to list ratio was 0.996 in February 2026, indicating that homes are selling very close to their asking price (as reported by Zillow).

Rental Market Overview

The rental market in Fairborn provides a range of options, with the average rent for all property types being $1,283 per month (as reported by Zillow). This is 35.85% lower than the national average rent (as reported by Zillow). The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Fairborn was $1,095 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper).

For specific unit sizes, the average rent for a studio apartment is around $789 per month, a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $860 per month, and a two-bedroom apartment averages $1,200 per month (as reported by Zillow). Houses for rent in Fairborn have a higher average monthly cost, around $1,362 (as reported by Zumper).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Fairborn’s economy is supported by a diverse range of employers. Key companies include Gator Finishing, Jeff Schmitt Auto Group, and Patriot Ridge Community (as reported by Zippia). Walmart, McDonald’s, and Target are also significant employers in the area (as reported by Indeed.com).

Curtiss-Wright is another notable company with a presence in Fairborn (as reported by Zippia). The Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce actively works to enhance the business environment and foster growth for existing and new businesses within the community (as reported by Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce).

Unemployment and Salary Information

The unemployment rate in Fairborn, OH, was at 782.00 in January 2026, which was an increase from the previous month but a decrease from the prior year (as reported by YCharts). The average annual salary in Fairborn, OH, is approximately $55,000 per year, or about $26.44 per hour (as reported by Zippia).

However, other sources indicate a slightly different average salary. For example, one report states the average annual salary in Fairborn is $49,396 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Fairborn was $61,751 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA).

Climate and Weather

Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Fairborn, Ohio, experiences a climate with distinct seasons. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 19°F to 85°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warmest month is July, with an average high of 85°F and a low of 64°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The coldest month is January, with an average high of 37°F and a low of 20°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Fairborn receives an annual precipitation of about 42 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The month with the most precipitation is typically May, with an average of 4 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Seasonal Weather Patterns

The snowy period in Fairborn generally lasts for about four months, from December to March, with January usually seeing the most snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Summer in Fairborn is characterized by warm, humid conditions, while winters are short, cold, snowy, and windy (as reported by Time and Date).

The humidity level remains comfortable during the summer months (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The clearer part of the year begins around early June and lasts for about 4.7 months, with August being the clearest month (as reported by Time and Date).

Education in Fairborn

Fairborn High School

Fairborn High School is a public school serving grades 8-12. It has an overall Niche grade of B- and a rating of 3.54 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). The school has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, with 1,003 students (as reported by Niche).

According to state test scores, 37% of students are proficient in math, and 64% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). Fairborn High School is ranked among the most diverse public high schools in Ohio (as reported by Niche).

Fairborn City School District

The Fairborn City School District encompasses pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and holds an overall Niche grade of B- (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 4,231 students across five schools (as reported by Niche).

The district is noted for its diversity, ranking 81st out of 616 school districts in Ohio for diversity (as reported by Niche). Significant investments have been made in new facilities, including a primary school, intermediate school, and high school, with a new middle school planned (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Fairborn

Population and Age Distribution

Fairborn, Ohio, has a population of approximately 34,534 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Fairborn is 36 years old (as reported by Point2Homes). The population distribution includes about 15% of residents under 15, 14.9% between 15 and 24, 32.2% between 25 and 44, 21.6% between 45 and 64, and 16.4% aged 65 and older (as reported by Point2Homes).

The gender balance is nearly even, with 49.8% males and 50.2% females (as reported by Point2Homes). Fairborn is home to 15,911 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Fairborn is primarily Caucasian, making up 77.9% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). African Americans constitute 9.1% of the population, with smaller percentages for Asian residents and those identifying with two or more races (as reported by Point2Homes).

Approximately 93.6% of Fairborn’s population are U.S.-born citizens, while 4.3% have gained naturalized citizenship, and 2% are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The city’s population is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic), accounting for 8.57 times more residents than any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living

Overall Cost of Living

The cost of living in Fairborn, Ohio, is generally considered affordable, with some sources indicating it is around the national average. One report states the cost of living index in Fairborn is 100, making it as affordable as the average U.S. city (as reported by Numbeo). Another assessment suggests living costs are 7% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).

However, other data indicates that Fairborn’s cost of living is 3% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). This discrepancy may arise from different methodologies and the inclusion of various expense categories in the calculations.

Key Expense Categories

Housing expenses in Fairborn are noted to be lower than the national average, with a median rent of $977 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). Other sources cite an average rent of $1,283 per month (as reported by Zillow). Food expenses are also generally below the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Transportation costs are comparable to the national average, while utility prices are slightly higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Healthcare costs in Fairborn are 14% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).