Is Alliance Safe, Pros and cons of living in Alliance
Alliance, Ohio, offers a blend of small-town charm and accessible amenities, making it a point of interest for those considering a move to the Buckeye State. Located in Stark County, the city provides a unique character shaped by its history and community focus. It’s a place where residents can find a balance between a quieter lifestyle and proximity to larger metropolitan areas.
This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview for anyone contemplating a life in Alliance. We will explore various facets of the city, from safety and cost of living to employment opportunities and local climate, offering insights to help make an informed decision about settling down in this northeastern Ohio community.
Is it Safe to Live in Alliance?
The overall crime rate in Alliance is considered moderate to high, with a crime score that places it above the national average (as reported by StatisNostics and AreaVibes). While the city’s crime rate is 10% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents, your chance of being a victim varies significantly by neighborhood (as reported by AreaVibes and StatisNostics). Residents often consider the west part of the city to be the safest, with a lower chance of experiencing crime compared to the east neighborhoods (as reported by AreaVibes).
Violent crime in Alliance occurs at a rate higher than in many communities across America. The probability of becoming a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 321 (as reported by StatisNostics). Property crime rates are also a consideration, with an above-average chance of becoming a victim compared to other communities nationwide (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The total projected cost of crime in Alliance for 2025 is estimated at over $15 million, translating to about $510 per resident (as reported by StatisNostics).
Cost of Living in Alliance
Alliance presents a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average. The overall cost of living index in Alliance is 83, indicating it is 17% less expensive than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This affordability extends to housing, which is 44% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Monthly living costs for a single person are estimated at around $2,484 including rent, or $1,006 excluding housing (as reported by CityCost).
For couples, estimated monthly costs are about $3,612 with rent, and for a family of three, it’s around $4,741 including rent (as reported by CityCost). These figures suggest that Alliance can be a more budget-friendly option for many. However, it’s important to note that grocery costs in Alliance are slightly lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes), though gym memberships can be on the steeper side (as reported by CityCost).
Housing Costs
Housing is a significant factor contributing to Alliance’s affordability. The median home value in Alliance was approximately $125,400 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), and Zillow reported an average home value of $158,558 as of March 2026, an increase of 3.5% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The homeownership rate in Alliance is around 51.5% (as reported by Data USA), which is lower than the national average.
Rental prices offer further affordability. The average rent in Alliance, OH, was reported as $629 per month as of May 2026, making it 62% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Other sources indicate the median rent is around $800 per month (as reported by Realtor.com) or $875 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zillow). A studio apartment can cost about $534 per month, a one-bedroom around $629, and a two-bedroom approximately $942 (as reported by Apartments.com).
Job Market and Economy
Alliance’s job market is supported by a workforce of over 9,600 residents, with a significant portion employed in professional or administrative roles (as reported by Point2Homes). The most common employment sectors include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA). The city is home to several major employers, including Coastal Pet Products, Morgan Engineering, and the University of Mount Union, among others (as reported by Alliance, OH Official Website).
The unemployment rate in Alliance is reported at 4.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual salary in Alliance is approximately $37,834 as of May 2026, which breaks down to about $18.19 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Other sources indicate an average annual salary of $44,000 with an hourly rate of $21.15 (as reported by Zippia), and another source states the average yearly salary at $42,442 (as reported by ReadySetHire).
Major Employers
Several key industries and companies form the backbone of Alliance’s employment landscape. Manufacturing plays a substantial role, with companies like Morgan Engineering and Winkle Industries being prominent (as reported by Alliance, OH Official Website). The healthcare sector also provides numerous jobs, as does the retail trade industry (as reported by Data USA).
Educational institutions are also significant employers, with the University of Mount Union being a notable presence in the city (as reported by Alliance, OH Official Website). Other companies such as Coastal Pet Products, Trilogy Plastics, and Alliance Castings contribute to the diverse economic base of Alliance, attracting and retaining talent within the region (as reported by Alliance, OH Official Website).
Climate and Weather
Alliance experiences distinct seasonal weather patterns. Summers are generally warm and partly cloudy, while winters are cold, snowy, and mostly cloudy (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Weather Network). Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 18°F to 84°F, rarely dropping below 4°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Annual precipitation averages around 42 inches, with snowfall contributing to the winter months (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The month of June typically sees the most precipitation, while February is the driest (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is common from November through March, with January being the snowiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Average Temperatures and Rainfall
July is generally the warmest month in Alliance, with average high temperatures around 82.2°F and lows of 61.3°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, January is the coldest, with average highs of 31.6°F and lows of 18.9°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city experiences significant seasonal variation in monthly rainfall, with June often recording the highest average rainfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Weather Network).
Rain falls throughout the year in Alliance, with an average of 173.2 rainfall days annually, accumulating about 30.35 inches of precipitation (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The chance of a wet day is higher from March to September, while the drier season spans from late September to mid-March (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education in Alliance
Alliance is served by the Alliance City School District, which includes several public schools catering to various grade levels. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency in Alliance public schools averages around 48%, and reading proficiency is about 57%, which is slightly below the Ohio state average (as reported by Niche).
The city is also home to the University of Mount Union, a private university offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Other institutions like Kent State University and Stark State College are also accessible to residents, providing further educational opportunities (as reported by Niche).
School Ratings and Performance
Public schools in Alliance receive an overall Niche grade of B- (as reported by Niche). Top-ranked public schools include Washington Elementary School and Marlington High School (as reported by Niche). However, compared to the state average, Alliance public schools have lower average math and reading proficiency scores (as reported by Niche).
Alliance High School has a graduation rate of 93% and an average GPA of 3.47 (as reported by Homes.com). The Alliance City School District itself is rated 4.23 out of 5 by Niche users, with students showing interest in pursuing higher education at various universities (as reported by Niche).
Demographics of Alliance
Alliance has a population of approximately 21,500 residents, with a projected population of 21,335 in 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Places.US.Com). The racial composition is predominantly White, making up about 82.9% to 83.3% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at around 8% (as reported by Point2Homes, Data USA, and Places.US.Com). The median age in Alliance is around 35.5 to 36 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Places.US.Com).
The gender distribution shows a slightly higher percentage of females, with about 51.6% of locals being female (as reported by Point2Homes). A majority of residents are U.S. citizens, with a high percentage of citizenship compared to the national average (as reported by Data USA). The population is distributed across various age groups, with a notable segment of the population falling within the 25 to 44 age bracket.
Household Income and Poverty
The median household income in Alliance was reported as $56,106 in 2024 (as reported by Places.US.Com and Point2Homes). This median income is lower than the state and national averages (as reported by Places.US.Com). A significant portion of Alliance families live in poverty, with approximately 18.6% of families in poverty (as reported by Places.US.Com) and a poverty rate of 23.8% for the overall population (as reported by Places.US.Com).
The cost of living in Alliance is generally lower than the national average, which can help to offset the lower median income for some residents. However, the poverty rate indicates that a substantial number of households may struggle with financial stability. Understanding these economic factors is crucial for anyone considering a move to Alliance.