Best overall
Mercer County
Overall score 80.6
Economy 81.6 / Affordability 65.4
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Ohio
Compare counties in Ohio by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 88 Ohio counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Ohio
Put Ohio counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Ohio rankings
Open the full Ohio ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Ohio county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Auglaize County
Family score 89.0
Schools 97.6 / Safety 98.7
Best value
Van Wert County
Value score 74.9
Affordability 81.4 / Taxes 61.4
Most affordable
Jefferson County
Affordability 86.4
Typical home $125,161
Best schools
Warren County
Schools 99.7
Safety 48.4 / Economy 77.9
Safest
Wyandot County
Safety 98.8
Schools 70.4 / Peace 90.4
Low taxes
Noble County
Taxes 67.5
Affordability 69.4 / Typical home $189,175
Peace & quiet
Wyandot County
Peace & Quiet 90.4
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Ohio
View full- 1Mercer County
Typical home $267,727
80.6
Overall
- 2Auglaize County
Typical home $235,445
80.4
Overall
- 3Union County
Typical home $405,895
78.9
Overall
- 4Putnam County
Typical home $250,356
78.3
Overall
- 5Geauga County
Typical home $371,495
76.3
Overall
Best counties for families in Ohio
View full- 1Auglaize County
Typical home $235,445
89.0
Family
- 2Mercer County
Typical home $267,727
87.5
Family
- 3Putnam County
Typical home $250,356
86.1
Family
- 4Henry County
Typical home $205,993
86.0
Family
- 5Defiance County
Typical home $181,385
85.7
Family
Best value counties in Ohio
View full- 1Van Wert County
Typical home $182,732
74.9
Value
- 2Auglaize County
Typical home $235,445
74.7
Value
- 3Wyandot County
Typical home $191,042
74.6
Value
- 4Putnam County
Typical home $250,356
73.2
Value
- 5Defiance County
Typical home $181,385
73.1
Value
Most affordable counties in Ohio
View full- 1Jefferson County
Typical home $125,161
86.4
Afford.
- 2Paulding County
Typical home $158,349
85.6
Afford.
- 3Meigs County
Typical home $111,646
85.3
Afford.
- 4Jackson County
Typical home $143,145
84.7
Afford.
- 5Belmont County
Typical home $131,165
84.5
Afford.
Best school counties in Ohio
View full- 1Warren County
Typical home $404,923
99.7
Schools
- 2Delaware County
Typical home $513,081
99.6
Schools
- 3Mercer County
Typical home $267,727
98.9
Schools
- 4Geauga County
Typical home $371,495
98.8
Schools
- 5Medina County
Typical home $341,334
98.2
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Ohio
View full- 1Noble County
Typical home $189,175
67.5
Taxes
- 2Brown County
Typical home $258,445
66.9
Taxes
- 3Wyandot County
Typical home $191,042
62.5
Taxes
- 4Fayette County
Typical home $235,451
62.3
Taxes
- 5Van Wert County
Typical home $182,732
61.4
Taxes
Quietest counties in Ohio
View full- 1Wyandot County
Typical home $191,042
90.4
Quiet
- 2Van Wert County
Typical home $182,732
90.3
Quiet
- 3Williams County
Typical home $179,076
89.8
Quiet
- 4Putnam County
Typical home $250,356
89.7
Quiet
- 5Mercer County
Typical home $267,727
89.2
Quiet
Safest counties in Ohio
View full- 1Wyandot County
Typical home $191,042
98.8
Safety
- 2Auglaize County
Typical home $235,445
98.7
Safety
- 3Jefferson County
Typical home $125,161
98.6
Safety
- 4Erie County
Typical home $229,732
98.4
Safety
- 5Crawford County
Typical home $157,661
97.6
Safety
Popular Ohio county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Ohio
The best county in Ohio depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Ohio
For best overall counties in Ohio, Mercer County, Auglaize County, and Union County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Ohio
For families, Auglaize County, Mercer County, and Putnam County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Ohio
For affordability-focused movers, Jefferson County, Paulding County, and Meigs County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Ohio
For school-first households, Warren County, Delaware County, and Mercer County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Ohio
For lower tax-pressure searches, Noble County, Brown County, and Wyandot County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Ohio
For quieter-living searches, Wyandot County, Van Wert County, and Williams County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Ohio
Compare county scale carefully in Ohio; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Ohio
What is the best county to live in Ohio?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Mercer County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Ohio for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Auglaize County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Ohio?
Jefferson County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Ohio counties score well for schools or taxes?
Warren County currently leads the school-score view, while Noble County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Ohio counties
Showing all 88 Ohio counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercer County FIPS 39107 | 80.6 | 81.6 | 65.4 | 98.9 | 96.9 | 50.6 | 89.2 | $267,727 | $76,782 |
| 2 | Auglaize County FIPS 39011 | 80.4 | 68.5 | 74.3 | 97.6 | 98.7 | 59 | 89.1 | $235,445 | $78,660 |
| 3 | Union County FIPS 39159 | 78.9 | 86.5 | 60.5 | 97.4 | 95.5 | 42.9 | 80.2 | $405,895 | $112,322 |
| 4 | Putnam County FIPS 39137 | 78.3 | 65.9 | 76 | 97.3 | 86.3 | 59.2 | 89.7 | $250,356 | $84,928 |
| 5 | Geauga County FIPS 39055 | 76.3 | 76.8 | 65.4 | 98.8 | 97.5 | 26.6 | 74.3 | $371,495 | $107,860 |
| 6 | Defiance County FIPS 39039 | 76.2 | 55.3 | 84 | 89.4 | 93.8 | 49.7 | 88.9 | $181,385 | $73,064 |
| 7 | Henry County FIPS 39069 | 74.9 | 49.4 | 82.9 | 94 | 90.8 | 49.7 | 88.9 | $205,993 | $80,099 |
| 8 | Van Wert County FIPS 39161 | 74.5 | 56 | 81.4 | 79.4 | 90.6 | 61.4 | 90.3 | $182,732 | $67,917 |
| 9 | Hancock County FIPS 39063 | 74.1 | 59.3 | 69.3 | 89.3 | 96.9 | 52 | 87.2 | $236,200 | $73,141 |
| 10 | Miami County FIPS 39109 | 73.6 | 63 | 66.2 | 91 | 94.1 | 52.1 | 75.6 | $265,732 | $76,817 |
| 11 | Paulding County FIPS 39125 | 73.5 | 56.1 | 85.6 | 85.3 | 75.4 | 53.4 | 87.6 | $158,349 | $67,731 |
| 12 | Medina County FIPS 39103 | 73.2 | 75.4 | 63.5 | 98.2 | 80.1 | 38.2 | 60.6 | $341,334 | $94,968 |
| 13 | Wayne County FIPS 39169 | 73.1 | 61.6 | 66.4 | 96.1 | 91.3 | 41.3 | 81 | $259,403 | $73,574 |
| 14 | Shelby County FIPS 39149 | 73 | 56.2 | 68.1 | 91.3 | 92 | 54.6 | 88.4 | $239,886 | $73,978 |
| 15 | Wyandot County FIPS 39175 | 72.7 | 55.6 | 76.5 | 70.4 | 98.8 | 62.5 | 90.4 | $191,042 | $69,768 |
| 16 | Darke County FIPS 39037 | 72.5 | 64.2 | 69.8 | 88.6 | 73.4 | 59.1 | 87.7 | $209,197 | $64,486 |
| 17 | Fulton County FIPS 39051 | 72.5 | 49.6 | 76.6 | 94.2 | 93.3 | 37.9 | 86.1 | $222,666 | $72,864 |
| 18 | Madison County FIPS 39097 | 71.9 | 71.1 | 64.3 | 75.6 | 88.2 | 54 | 85.9 | $313,614 | $87,045 |
| 19 | Fairfield County FIPS 39045 | 71.7 | 69.9 | 55.9 | 92.4 | 92.7 | 45.4 | 66.5 | $362,867 | $90,966 |
| 20 | Delaware County FIPS 39041 | 71.4 | 81.1 | 52.6 | 99.6 | 94 | 12.6 | 54.5 | $513,081 | $133,540 |
| 21 | Tuscarawas County FIPS 39157 | 70.7 | 57.4 | 68.8 | 80.9 | 94.2 | 47.3 | 82.2 | $209,232 | $65,044 |
| 22 | Ashland County FIPS 39005 | 70.1 | 54.4 | 68.1 | 83.3 | 86.5 | 56.8 | 83.3 | $237,528 | $69,860 |
| 23 | Holmes County FIPS 39075 | 70.1 | 72.1 | 46.3 | 95.1 | 81.5 | 49.2 | 87 | $359,505 | $76,140 |
| 24 | Preble County FIPS 39135 | 69.3 | 54.3 | 70.7 | 73.5 | 91.3 | 54.5 | 83.6 | $228,983 | $69,223 |
| 25 | Licking County FIPS 39089 | 68.9 | 67.8 | 56.5 | 82.2 | 93.2 | 38.6 | 71.7 | $334,547 | $84,426 |
| 26 | Clermont County FIPS 39025 | 68.6 | 59 | 59.4 | 93.2 | 91.5 | 38.2 | 56.9 | $325,434 | $85,510 |
| 27 | Clinton County FIPS 39027 | 68.6 | 52.8 | 64.1 | 77.4 | 93.7 | 56.1 | 84.8 | $251,222 | $70,407 |
| 28 | Champaign County FIPS 39021 | 68.5 | 58.8 | 69.6 | 66.4 | 91 | 53.1 | 83.5 | $245,710 | $75,556 |
| 29 | Seneca County FIPS 39147 | 68.3 | 49.3 | 80.2 | 78.6 | 71.4 | 51.4 | 88 | $172,763 | $66,025 |
| 30 | Hardin County FIPS 39065 | 68.2 | 50.8 | 74.4 | 65.2 | 94.5 | 53.6 | 87.3 | $184,308 | $62,484 |
| 31 | Knox County FIPS 39083 | 68.1 | 58.5 | 59.5 | 83.8 | 87.7 | 46.1 | 81.3 | $281,686 | $73,878 |
| 32 | Jefferson County FIPS 39081 | 68 | 27.8 | 86.4 | 78.7 | 98.6 | 49.4 | 79.1 | $125,161 | $59,055 |
| 33 | Warren County FIPS 39165 | 67.8 | 77.9 | 59.8 | 99.7 | 48.4 | 38.1 | 47.4 | $404,923 | $110,132 |
| 34 | Logan County FIPS 39091 | 67.6 | 58.5 | 63.5 | 70.3 | 90 | 54.2 | 81.9 | $251,084 | $71,551 |
| 35 | Stark County FIPS 39151 | 67.6 | 51.9 | 70.5 | 86.6 | 91.8 | 35 | 48.2 | $211,655 | $67,934 |
| 36 | Columbiana County FIPS 39029 | 67.4 | 46.2 | 79.7 | 67.9 | 91.4 | 47.9 | 77.4 | $156,743 | $58,180 |
| 37 | Allen County FIPS 39003 | 67.3 | 52.6 | 72.6 | 71.9 | 87.3 | 45.7 | 78.5 | $186,339 | $64,038 |
| 38 | Pickaway County FIPS 39129 | 66.5 | 57.5 | 51.7 | 85.2 | 86.2 | 51.8 | 81.8 | $325,199 | $74,040 |
| 39 | Williams County FIPS 39171 | 66.4 | 42.5 | 77.5 | 81.9 | 68.4 | 52.5 | 89.8 | $179,076 | $61,048 |
| 40 | Wood County FIPS 39173 | 66.2 | 56.4 | 68.4 | 90.9 | 69.4 | 24 | 80.5 | $235,802 | $74,216 |
| 41 | Lake County FIPS 39085 | 65.4 | 66.5 | 73.9 | 82.3 | 73.3 | 16.9 | 22.7 | $243,190 | $80,925 |
| 42 | Greene County FIPS 39057 | 65.1 | 68.4 | 63 | 91.2 | 59.6 | 17.7 | 65.1 | $298,140 | $87,309 |
| 43 | Jackson County FIPS 39079 | 65 | 36.1 | 84.7 | 67.3 | 81.8 | 50.3 | 81.1 | $143,145 | $57,106 |
| 44 | Ottawa County FIPS 39123 | 65 | 38.9 | 61.4 | 87.5 | 94.7 | 48.6 | 67.7 | $264,413 | $76,101 |
| 45 | Carroll County FIPS 39019 | 64.9 | 50.3 | 71.5 | 54.2 | 96.5 | 52.9 | 77.8 | $199,603 | $64,835 |
| 46 | Lawrence County FIPS 39087 | 64.6 | 34.6 | 81 | 75 | 73 | 56.6 | 80.9 | $141,898 | $58,325 |
| 47 | Morgan County FIPS 39115 | 64.6 | 40.7 | 78.5 | 69.4 | 74.8 | 58.7 | 75.6 | $157,570 | $59,351 |
| 48 | Belmont County FIPS 39013 | 64.1 | 34.8 | 84.5 | 63.2 | 90.2 | 41.3 | 80 | $131,165 | $57,017 |
| 49 | Portage County FIPS 39133 | 64 | 56.4 | 61 | 86.8 | 67.6 | 37.7 | 67.5 | $275,007 | $75,766 |
| 50 | Perry County FIPS 39127 | 63.8 | 42.7 | 70.8 | 62.2 | 90.9 | 55.1 | 77.7 | $222,987 | $67,460 |
| 51 | Muskingum County FIPS 39119 | 63.7 | 47.1 | 66.4 | 69.2 | 79.3 | 56 | 80.7 | $207,867 | $60,780 |
| 52 | Ashtabula County FIPS 39007 | 63.1 | 48.2 | 72 | 57.3 | 92.8 | 38.4 | 76.5 | $177,182 | $57,728 |
| 53 | Erie County FIPS 39043 | 62.8 | 44.9 | 68 | 61.8 | 98.4 | 39.7 | 69.6 | $229,732 | $71,993 |
| 54 | Washington County FIPS 39167 | 62.4 | 43.1 | 75 | 60.1 | 78.2 | 49 | 84.4 | $184,231 | $63,603 |
| 55 | Harrison County FIPS 39067 | 62.3 | 51.2 | 83.2 | 31.8 | 88.3 | 51.2 | 80.2 | $136,447 | $54,414 |
| 56 | Highland County FIPS 39071 | 62.3 | 49.1 | 72.4 | 59.8 | 66.6 | 59.4 | 81.3 | $199,629 | $65,785 |
| 57 | Fayette County FIPS 39047 | 61.8 | 41.3 | 60.4 | 68.3 | 81.5 | 62.3 | 84.4 | $235,451 | $63,275 |
| 58 | Gallia County FIPS 39053 | 61.1 | 32.6 | 74.9 | 68 | 73.2 | 54.6 | 84 | $167,290 | $56,830 |
| 59 | Richland County FIPS 39139 | 61.1 | 41.2 | 67.7 | 65.5 | 87.3 | 38.7 | 75.8 | $192,905 | $59,509 |
| 60 | Huron County FIPS 39077 | 60.9 | 40.8 | 75.9 | 59.3 | 69.7 | 51.3 | 84.8 | $192,855 | $67,878 |
| 61 | Coshocton County FIPS 39031 | 60.7 | 41.5 | 68.9 | 70.3 | 60.7 | 56 | 86.2 | $184,350 | $55,577 |
| 62 | Crawford County FIPS 39033 | 60.7 | 41.1 | 78.9 | 37 | 97.6 | 44.4 | 84.4 | $157,661 | $58,044 |
| 63 | Hocking County FIPS 39073 | 60.2 | 43.8 | 53.7 | 85.7 | 56.9 | 60.6 | 81.2 | $277,646 | $62,960 |
| 64 | Morrow County FIPS 39117 | 59.3 | 55.8 | 66.4 | 54 | 60.3 | 49.7 | 78.9 | $270,108 | $75,283 |
| 65 | Sandusky County FIPS 39143 | 58.5 | 43.7 | 75.8 | 66 | 40.9 | 50.8 | 84.9 | $182,947 | $62,295 |
| 66 | Noble County FIPS 39121 | 58.1 | 34.1 | 69.4 | 35.7 | 94 | 67.5 | 84.5 | $189,175 | $56,098 |
| 67 | Vinton County FIPS 39163 | 58.1 | 38.4 | 73.4 | 38.9 | 85.6 | 54.2 | 81.3 | $175,603 | $55,336 |
| 68 | Clark County FIPS 39023 | 57.9 | 44 | 70.4 | 38.2 | 93.3 | 42.7 | 68.5 | $198,661 | $63,132 |
| 69 | Guernsey County FIPS 39059 | 57.2 | 44.1 | 76.9 | 53.1 | 49.1 | 46.8 | 84.8 | $161,322 | $58,478 |
| 70 | Ross County FIPS 39141 | 57 | 45.1 | 70.5 | 47.5 | 61.3 | 52.3 | 82.9 | $198,403 | $61,303 |
| 71 | Marion County FIPS 39101 | 56.8 | 44.5 | 71.5 | 28.5 | 84.3 | 55.1 | 79.6 | $178,151 | $59,371 |
| 72 | Brown County FIPS 39015 | 56.6 | 42.9 | 63.4 | 54.2 | 57.6 | 66.9 | 76.1 | $258,445 | $71,270 |
| 73 | Lorain County FIPS 39093 | 56.5 | 59.5 | 65.7 | 73.7 | 35.4 | 28.5 | 45.2 | $255,220 | $73,347 |
| 74 | Mahoning County FIPS 39099 | 56.5 | 39.1 | 72.8 | 65.6 | 63 | 33 | 53.8 | $170,915 | $56,942 |
| 75 | Adams County FIPS 39001 | 56.1 | 31.3 | 61.8 | 48.5 | 89 | 59.1 | 76.3 | $186,158 | $50,264 |
| 76 | Athens County FIPS 39009 | 55.8 | 33.7 | 65.5 | 51.4 | 91.1 | 30.1 | 80.8 | $180,405 | $56,001 |
| 77 | Butler County FIPS 39017 | 55.8 | 59 | 58.6 | 85.9 | 24.7 | 38.9 | 32.4 | $309,232 | $81,590 |
| 78 | Scioto County FIPS 39145 | 54.6 | 25.1 | 75.7 | 44 | 82.3 | 43 | 78.6 | $139,344 | $50,609 |
| 79 | Montgomery County FIPS 39113 | 53.4 | 48.6 | 69.2 | 43.4 | 89.4 | 8.1 | 21.9 | $200,255 | $66,139 |
| 80 | Monroe County FIPS 39111 | 53.2 | 24.4 | 80 | 22 | 84.9 | 61 | 77.1 | $150,979 | $60,134 |
| 81 | Trumbull County FIPS 39155 | 52.5 | 40.1 | 75 | 75.5 | 10.4 | 36.4 | 69.4 | $163,245 | $56,435 |
| 82 | Meigs County FIPS 39105 | 50.6 | 16.7 | 85.3 | 31.2 | 71.6 | 41.5 | 79.8 | $111,646 | $46,873 |
| 83 | Summit County FIPS 39153 | 49.6 | 52.2 | 69.6 | 73.4 | 12.3 | 15.7 | 21.7 | $223,182 | $71,622 |
| 84 | Pike County FIPS 39131 | 48 | 33.5 | 72 | 22.1 | 50.3 | 55.3 | 82.4 | $164,446 | $52,736 |
| 85 | Hamilton County FIPS 39061 | 43.3 | 54.7 | 57.3 | 63 | 0 | 16 | 21.9 | $269,325 | $72,470 |
| 86 | Franklin County FIPS 39049 | 42.7 | 59.2 | 53.5 | 46.6 | 20.6 | 9.8 | 22.8 | $294,251 | $75,176 |
| 87 | Cuyahoga County FIPS 39035 | 37.6 | 53.3 | 62.9 | 34.2 | 2 | 3.6 | 20.2 | $214,914 | $64,468 |
| 88 | Lucas County FIPS 39095 | 35.7 | 31.3 | 73.2 | 34.8 | 3.7 | 9.1 | 22.8 | $172,542 | $62,224 |