Is Berea Safe, Pros and cons of living in Berea

Berea, Ohio, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an appealing location for those considering a move. This Cuyahoga County city is part of the greater Cleveland metropolitan area, providing residents with a community feel while keeping them close to the economic and cultural hub of a larger city.

The city is recognized for its affordability and a generally safe environment, with a cost of living that is below the national average. Berea is also home to Baldwin Wallace University, contributing to a vibrant local atmosphere and providing educational and cultural opportunities for residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Berea?

Berea is considered a safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both state and national averages. The overall crime rate stands at 539 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 76.8% lower than the national average (as reported by Living in Berea). Violent crime is particularly low, with a rate of 37 crimes per 100,000 people, marking an 87.4% decrease compared to the state average and a 90.0% decrease compared to the national average (as reported by Living in Berea).

Property crime rates also contribute to the city’s safety profile, with 502 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 71.8% lower than the state average and 74.3% lower than the national average (as reported by Living in Berea). Year over year, crime in Berea has seen a decrease of 7% (as reported by AreaVibes). Berea is safer than 90% of the cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Costs and Availability

The housing market in Berea presents an attractive option for potential homeowners and renters alike, with prices generally below the national average. The median home price in Berea was approximately $246,000 as of a recent report (as reported by Living in Berea), which is considerably less than the national average of $435,000 (as reported by Living in Berea). Home prices have seen an increase of 14.4% from the previous year (as reported by Living in Berea).

For renters, Berea also offers affordable options. The average rent for an apartment in Berea is around $1,221 per month (as reported by RentCafe), a slight decrease from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). A one-bedroom apartment averages about $1,032, while a two-bedroom unit is around $1,411 (as reported by RentCafe). The majority of rentals, about 54%, fall within the $1,001-$1,500 monthly price range (as reported by RentCafe).

The median home value in Berea is reported as $239,040, showing a 5.2% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Redfin indicates that in March 2026, the median sale price of a home was $265,000, with homes selling in an average of 12 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

Cost of Living

Berea’s cost of living is notably lower than the national average, making it an economically favorable place to reside. The Cost of Living Index in Berea is 83, signifying that it is 17% more affordable than the national average of 100 (as reported by Living in Berea). This is also more affordable than nearby Cleveland, which has a Cost of Living Index of 91.4 (as reported by Living in Berea).

Housing expenses in Berea are 35% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). However, utility prices are 10% lower than the national average, and transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are 6% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Grocery prices are on par with the national average, while healthcare costs are approximately 8% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

A family of four living in Berea would need an estimated annual income of $95,257 to live comfortably in the city (as reported by Living in Berea). The cost of living in Berea is 8% less than the national average (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).

Job Market and Major Employers

Berea offers a diverse job market with several key employers contributing to the local economy. Baldwin Wallace University is a significant presence, not only as an educational institution but also as a major employer within the city (as reported by Zippia). Other notable employers include OhioGuidestone, The Lube Stop, Inc., Jaco Manufacturing Co., and Standby Screw (as reported by Zippia).

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission also provides employment opportunities within the region (as reported by Zippia). Manufacturing companies are also a part of Berea’s employment landscape, with businesses like AMETEK, Inc., a global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices, and Avient, a provider of specialized material solutions, being significant players (as reported by Indeed.com).

The average annual salary in Berea is approximately $41,993, which translates to about $20.19 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Berea is reported to be $71,896, which is slightly above the Ohio state average (as reported by Living in Berea).

Climate and Weather

Berea experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by distinct seasons with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from a low of 21°F in January to a high of 82°F in July, with temperatures rarely dropping below 5°F or exceeding 90°F throughout the year (as reported by Berea Climate).

Summers in Berea are generally warm and partly cloudy, with the warm season lasting from late May to mid-September. July is the hottest month, with average high temperatures around 82°F and lows around 65°F (as reported by Berea Climate). Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, with the cold season extending from early December to early March. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 22°F and highs around 34°F (as reported by Berea Climate).

The average annual rainfall in Berea is around 39 inches (as reported by Livability.com). Snowfall is common from November through March, with an average annual snowfall of about 69 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The climate risk for Berea is considered very low (as reported by Living in Berea).

School Ratings and Education

Berea is served by the Berea City School District, which has received an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche). The district has a total of five schools and serves approximately 3,519 students (as reported by Niche). The student-teacher ratio within the district is 18 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

Within Ohio, the Berea City School District is ranked among the top in various categories. It is ranked #78 out of 616 for Most Diverse School Districts in Ohio and #242 out of 606 for Best School Districts in Ohio (as reported by Niche). Berea-Midpark High School, part of this district, also holds a B grade from Niche and is recognized for its college preparation programs (as reported by Niche).

State test scores indicate that 61% of students in the Berea City School District are proficient in math, and 63% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). The district has a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 (as reported by Living in Berea).

Demographics

Berea has a population of approximately 18,545 residents (as reported by Wikipedia). The median age in the city is around 36.4 years (as reported by Living in Berea), with a slight majority of females at 52.3% compared to males at 47.7% (as reported by Wikipedia). The age distribution shows that about 18.3% of residents are under 18, and 13.9% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia).

The racial composition of Berea is predominantly White, making up about 79.8% of the population, with 79.0% being non-Hispanic White (as reported by Living in Berea). African Americans constitute about 8.8% of the population, and 7.6% identify as belonging to two or more races (as reported by Living in Berea). The foreign-born population is around 2.1% (as reported by Living in Berea).

In terms of educational attainment, 96.1% of Berea residents have a high school degree or higher, and 37.6% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (as reported by Living in Berea). The median household income in Berea is $71,896 (as reported by Living in Berea).