Is Garfield Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Garfield Heights

Is it Safe to Live in Garfield Heights?

Garfield Heights experiences a crime rate that is generally higher than the national average. The city’s overall crime rate is reported to be 10% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes in Garfield Heights are 29% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime rates are also a concern, with Garfield Heights seeing a rate that is 6% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Garfield Heights is approximately 1 in 43 (as reported by AreaVibes). When comparing Garfield Heights to other communities of similar population size, its combined violent and property crime rate is notably higher than average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The rate for property crime is 19 per one thousand population, meaning there is an above-average chance of being a victim of such crimes compared to all other communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

However, some sources present a more favorable outlook. One report indicates that Garfield Heights has a crime rate that is 15% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). According to this source, residents have a 1 in 327 chance of being a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 60 chance for property crime. This report also states that Garfield Heights has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities.

The FBI data for 2024 shows a total crime rate of 2,334.1 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Based on this data, Garfield Heights ranks #132 out of 172 cities in Ohio for safety. The most elevated crime category in Garfield Heights is rape, at 55.4 per 100K, which is 1.3 times the national average (as reported by Realtor.com®). Conversely, larceny-theft is relatively low at just 0.8 times the national rate (as reported by Realtor.com®). Year over year, Garfield Heights’s total crime rate decreased by 2.7%, with violent crime declining 10.1% (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Garfield Heights is considered to be relatively affordable, especially when compared to national averages. The average cost of living in Garfield Heights is $1957, which places it in the top 23% of the most expensive cities globally and 18th out of 89 in Ohio (as reported by Livingcost). The median after-tax salary is $3597, which is sufficient to cover living expenses for 1.8 months (as reported by Livingcost).

Housing in Garfield Heights is notably more affordable than in many other areas. The median home value in Garfield Heights is approximately $109,900 (as reported by Livability.com), and the median property value was $109,900 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). Zillow reports the average home value in Garfield Heights, OH as $133,201, up 2.6% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Redfin indicates the median sale price of a home in Garfield Heights was $145,000 in March 2026, a decrease of 5.2% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Realtor.com® lists the median listing price at $149,950.

Rental costs are also competitive. The average rent for an apartment in Garfield Heights is $941, representing a 5.43% increase from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). Other sources indicate the average rent is $841 per month (as reported by Zumper), which is 49% lower than the national average rent of $1,641/month (as reported by Zumper). Zumper also notes that houses for rent in Garfield Heights, OH have an average monthly cost of $1,500.

Job Market and Economy

Garfield Heights presents a mixed picture in terms of its job market and economy. The city has an unemployment rate that is 15% below the national average according to one source (as reported by DoorProfit), while another indicates a national unemployment rate of 4.3% in March 2026 (as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics). The average annual salary in Garfield Heights is approximately $53,771 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Major employers in Garfield Heights include Cleveland Clinic-Marymount Hospital, OverDrive, Inc., and the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 12th District Headquarters (as reported by the City of Garfield Heights website). The Garfield Heights City School District is also a significant employer. The city is actively working on redevelopment projects, such as Highland Park (formerly City View Center), to stimulate the economy and create jobs (as reported by the City of Garfield Heights).

The workforce in Garfield Heights shows that the majority of residents hold a high school diploma or equivalent (39%) or have some college/associate’s degree (34%) (as reported by the City of Garfield Heights). The city is committed to workforce development and provides resources and programs for businesses and job sustainability (as reported by the City of Garfield Heights).

Climate and Demographics

Garfield Heights experiences a climate with warm, partly cloudy summers and freezing, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy winters. Temperatures typically range from 21°F to 82°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 7°F or exceeding 89°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is July, with an average high of 81°F and a low of 67°F, while January is the coldest, with an average low of 23°F and a high of 34°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Average annual rainfall is around 37 inches, and average annual snowfall is approximately 49 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

The population of Garfield Heights was 29,781 at the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). As of the most recent estimates, the population is around 29,269 (as reported by Census Dots and Data USA). The demographic makeup is diverse, with Black or African American residents forming the largest group at 57.2% to 57.7% (as reported by Census Dots and Data USA). White residents constitute approximately 29.4% of the population (as reported by Census Dots and Data USA).

The median age in Garfield Heights is around 38 years (as reported by Livability.com and Census Dots). Approximately 23.9% of residents are under 18, and 17.4% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The gender distribution shows about 43.8% male and 56.2% female (as reported by Point2Homes).

Education

The Garfield Heights City School District serves the community, with an overall Niche grade of C- (as reported by Niche). The district has approximately 2,920 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 18% of students are proficient in math and 31% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Garfield Heights High School also received a C- grade from Niche, with 1,084 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 15% of high school students are proficient in math and 43% in reading (as reported by Niche). Nearby, highly-rated schools include Shaker Heights High School (rated 3.88/5) and Solon High School (rated 4.05/5) (as reported by Niche).

Pros and Cons of Living in Garfield Heights

Garfield Heights offers several advantages, including its affordability in housing and a generally lower cost of living compared to national averages (as reported by Livingcost and Zillow). The community is described as having a sparse suburban feel with many residents owning their homes (as reported by Niche). It is also noted for its ethnic diversity and proximity to Cleveland, providing access to more extensive job opportunities and amenities (as reported by Wikipedia and the City of Garfield Heights website).

However, there are drawbacks to consider. Crime rates in Garfield Heights are a significant concern, with several sources indicating they are higher than the national average, particularly for violent crimes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes). The educational system in Garfield Heights has received mixed reviews, with the school district and high school both earning a C- grade from Niche (as reported by Niche). Some residents express concerns about the quality of education and school safety (as reported by Niche).

The city’s climate includes cold, snowy winters, which may be a deterrent for some individuals. While the job market has major employers, the average salary and educational attainment levels suggest potential for economic growth and upskilling (as reported by ZipRecruiter and the City of Garfield Heights).