Don’t forget about cities near Cleveland Ohio! Thousands of people are moving to the big city of Cleveland, drawn by its exciting city life and fun attractions. But towns near Cleveland Ohio have a lot to offer as well. The Cleveland area is known for many things, including waterfront views of the Great Lakes and great things to do. You can enjoy unique attractions, such as the Allen Memorial Art Museum and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in a vibrant town or city.
Yet the Cleveland metro area is home to over two million people and covers five counties. There are dozens of cities near Cleveland, as well as towns, villages, and Census-designated places (CDPs). You may struggle to find one place to live. The key is to focus on some of the populous cities in the Cleveland area and Northeast Ohio and compare cities close to Cleveland together. Here is your comprehensive guide on towns near Cleveland Ohio.
Table of Contents
Largest Cities Near Cleveland Ohio
Cities near Cleveland Ohio come in all shapes and sizes. These are the largest cities close to Cleveland Ohio, with a population of at least 40,000 people. Some of these cities near Cleveland are the largest cities in Ohio. These cities close to Cleveland Ohio are also located within 35 miles of Cleveland, creating an easy commute into the city.
Parma – 7.5 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Parma population: 81,146
- Parma county: Cuyahoga County
Parma is the seventh-largest city in Ohio and the largest suburb of Cleveland and any major Ohio city. It’s also the second-largest city in Cuyahoga County, behind Cleveland OH. Parma is well-known for its high Ukrainian and Polish-born populations. The city is one of the biggest hubs amongst suburbs of Cleveland and cities near Cleveland Ohio for Eastern European culture. The Ukrainian Village and Polish Village districts contain stores, restaurants, and businesses celebrating Ukrainian and Polish life. You can sample Eastern European food at various locations in town, including Das Schnitzel Haus.
Parma is also one of the safest cities near Cleveland Ohio, and one of the safest suburbs of Cleveland Ohio. The Parma crime rate is 1,043 offenses per 100,000 people, 82.6% lower than the Cleveland crime rate, 49.8% lower than the Ohio rate, and 55.1% lower than the national average.
Lorain – 27.7 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Lorain population: 65,212
- Lorain county: Lorain County
Lorain is the ninth-largest city in Ohio and the largest city in Lorain County. Lorain has the nickname “The International City” because it’s a diverse place to live. Lorain has one of the highest populations of Hispanic and Latino people in Cleveland Ohio suburbs and cities near Cleveland Ohio. 28.2% of residents in Lorain identify as Hispanic or Latino. 16.7% of residents also identify as Black or African American, and 15.0% identify as two or more races. Top things to do in Lorain include the Black River Reservation, which has a scenic waterfall and great hiking trails.
Elyria – 24.6 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Elyria population: 52,656
- Elyria county: Lorain County
Elyria is the county seat of Lorain County. Elyria was once well-known as a manufacturing center with many mills, but it’s modernizing. It now has a diverse economy, with manufacturing businesses, schools, and hospitals. It’s home to Lorain County Community College (LCCC), an award-winning community college that offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. It’s also home to UH Elyria Medical Center, the largest hospital in Lorain County.
Cuyahoga Falls – 30.4 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Cuyahoga Falls population : 51,114
- Cuyahoga Falls county: Summit County
Cuyahoga Falls is one of the largest cities near Cleveland Ohio, and Akron Ohio. This makes Cuyahoga Falls good for commuters who travel to the two cities on a regular basis. The city was once a major industrial city, but it’s transitioned to become a residential hub. The southern section of Cuyahoga Falls contains cul de sacs and neighborhoods, and the real estate market is diverse and competitive. According to Redfin, 680 houses for sale Cuyahoga Falls were sold in 2023, including dozens of condos.
The northern section of Cuyahoga Falls is less developed and contains some unique outdoor activities and attractions. The Blossom Music Center is one of the biggest concert venues amongst cities near Cleveland Ohio. It’s a popular concert stop amongst major musicians like Weird Al Yankovic and The Cure. Porthouse Theatre is a theater home to productions throughout the year, including Shakespearean plays.
Lakewood – 5.9 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Lakewood population: 50,942
- Lakewood county: Cuyahoga County
Lakewood borders Cleveland Ohio, and is on the southern bank of Lake Erie, near other towns close to Cleveland Ohio. Lakewood is the nearest city to Cleveland Ohio, with a population of over 50,000. Lakewood contains a number of indoor and family-friendly attractions, making it one of the best cities near Cleveland Ohio during the winter. The Winterhurst Ice Arena is the top ice-skating arena in the Cleveland area, with lessons and free skates throughout the winter. The Beck Center for the Arts is home to a professional theater and a youth theater, and you can view theatrical productions year-round.
Euclid – 11.3 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Euclid population: 49,962
- Euclid county: Lorain County
Euclid is along the banks of Lake Erie, but it’s an urbanized and compact community. Interstate 90 runs through the center of town and connects it to Downtown Cleveland. Euclid is well-known for its Slovene population, and it’s a hub for polka music in cities near Cleveland Ohio. It’s home to the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, where you can hear polka performances throughout the year. It’s also home to the Euclid Creek Reservation, which is a network of hiking trails and parks near Lake Erie.
Mentor – 22.4 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Mentor population: 47,450
- Mentor county: Lake County
Mentor Ohio is the largest city in Lake County. Mentor is a historic city that was founded in the 1700s, prior to most of the largest cities near Cleveland Ohio. The James A. Garfield National Historic Site was the home of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. The Garfield House is now open to the public as a national park and a museum. You can also visit Headlands Beach State Park, home to the longest natural beach in Ohio. You can also visit plenty of casual restaurants in Mentor, including Yours Truly, a top eatery for all-day breakfast.
Strongsville – 16.0 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Strongsville population: 46,491
- Strongsville county: Cuyahoga County
Strongsville is a quaint suburb of Cleveland with a strong sense of community. It’s well known amongst residents of Cleveland suburbs for its top schools. US News ranks Strongsville High School in the top 50 high schools in Ohio. 90% of students at Strongsville High School test at or above the proficiency level in science, 30 percentage points higher than the state average. US News also ranks Kinsner Elementary School in the top 60 elementary schools in Ohio. 87% of students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 39 percentage points higher than the state rate.
Cleveland Heights – 7.6 Miles From Cleveland OH
- Cleveland Heights population: 45,312
- Cleveland Heights county: Cuyahoga County
Cleveland Heights is one of the best cities near Cleveland Ohio for commuters into the downtown area of Cleveland. Cleveland Heights is a hub for the Black and African American communities in the Cleveland metro area; 41.7% of residents in the city identify as Black or African American. Cleveland Heights is also a hub for the Jewish community in Greater Cleveland and cities near Cleveland Ohio. The city is home to several synagogues and Jewish education centers, including the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.
Other Cities in Cleveland Ohio
These cities in Cleveland have a population between 20,000 and 45,000 and are located within 35 miles of Cleveland. These towns near Cleveland Ohio are smaller than the largest cities near Cleveland Ohio, but they’re still important communities to consider. For instance, the city of Avon Lake is home to top parks like Miller Road Park. The city of Willoughby is home to Chagrin River Park, a wildlife sanctuary with wild geese and other beautiful birds. You can also find a casual atmosphere, local wineries, and coffee shops in many cities around Cleveland.
Even if you don’t plan on moving to a small city or town in Cleveland Ohio, you can go for weekend getaways in most of these cities near Cleveland Ohio. In this table, closer cities near Cleveland OH appear first, making it easy to plan visits to these small towns near Cleveland Ohio. You can drive to each city close to Cleveland Ohio within an hour, depending on traffic.
| City | County | Population | Distance From Cleveland in Miles |
| Garfield Heights | Cuyahoga | 29,781 | 7.8 |
| Shaker Heights | Cuyahoga | 29,439 | 8.6 |
| Rocky River | Cuyahoga | 21,755 | 8.7 |
| Parma Heights | Cuyahoga | 20,863 | 8.9 |
| Maple Heights | Cuyahoga | 23,701 | 9.7 |
| Westlake | Cuyahoga | 34,228 | 12.8 |
| North Royalton | Cuyahoga | 31,322 | 13.3 |
| North Olmsted | Cuyahoga | 32,442 | 13.7 |
| Solon | Cuyahoga | 24,262 | 16.8 |
| Avon | Lorain | 24,847 | 18.7 |
| Avon Lake | Lorain | 25,206 | 18.8 |
| North Ridgeville | Lorain | 35,280 | 19.7 |
| Brunswick | Medina | 35,426 | 21.3 |
| Hudson | Summit | 23,110 | 24.3 |
| Medina | Medina | 26,094 | 28.5 |
| Painesville | Lake | 20,312 | 28.8 |
| Stow | Summit | 34,483 | 29.9 |
| Kent | Portage | 28,215 | 32.5 |
Map of Cities Near Cleveland Ohio and the Surrounding Area
You can use this map to find the best cities near Cleveland Ohio and Lake Erie, as well as top attractions like Geneva on the Lake and Geneva State Park.
Small Cities and Towns Near Cleveland
The following are cities around Cleveland Ohio and towns in Cleveland with a population between 1,000 and 20,000 people. The table also includes villages, which are incorporated communities with populations under 5,000, and Census-designated communities. All of these cities near Cleveland Ohio and towns in Cleveland Ohio are within 35 miles of Cleveland.
These cities and towns around Cleveland Ohio contain or are near notable attractions like the Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Bay Village. These cities near Cleveland Ohio also contain great shopping opportunities, great restaurants, and picnic tables for outdoor meals. Some towns near Cleveland Ohio are popular amongst young professionals, while others are popular amongst families looking for safe neighborhoods.
| Name of City, Town, Village, or CDP | County | Population | Distance From Cleveland in Miles |
| Newburgh Heights | Cuyahoga | 1,862 | 4.9 |
| Brooklyn | Cuyahoga | 11,359 | 6.9 |
| Brooklyn Heights | Cuyahoga | 1,519 | 7.2 |
| University Heights | Cuyahoga | 13,914 | 8.4 |
| Seven Hills | Cuyahoga | 11,720 | 8.5 |
| Valley View | Cuyahoga | 1,897 | 10.2 |
| Fairview Park | Cuyahoga | 17,291 | 10.2 |
| Independence | Cuyahoga | 7,584 | 10.4 |
| Lyndhurst | Cuyahoga | 14,050 | 11.3 |
| Richmond Heights | Cuyahoga | 10,801 | 11.5 |
| Bedford | Cuyahoga | 13,149 | 11.8 |
| Middleburg Heights | Cuyahoga | 16,004 | 12.3 |
| Pepper Pike | Cuyahoga | 6,796 | 12.4 |
| Bay Village | Cuyahoga | 16,163 | 12.8 |
| Highland Heights | Cuyahoga | 8,719 | 13.0 |
| Bedford Heights | Cuyahoga | 11,020 | 13.6 |
| Broadview Heights | Cuyahoga | 19,936 | 13.9 |
| Oakwood | Cuyahoga | 3,572 | 14.4 |
| Berea | Cuyahoga | 18,545 | 14.6 |
| Moreland Hills | Cuyahoga | 3,466 | 14.8 |
| Brecksville | Cuyahoga | 13,635 | 14.9 |
| Northfield | Summit | 3,541 | 15.3 |
| Wickliffe | Lake | 12,652 | 15.3 |
| Gates Mills | Cuyahoga | 2,264 | 15.9 |
| Olmsted Falls | Cuyahoga | 8,582 | 16.1 |
| Willowick | Lake | 14,204 | 16.1 |
| Chagrin Falls | Cuyahoga | 4,188 | 17.4 |
| Macedonia | Summit | 12,168 | 17.7 |
| Eastlake | Lake | 17,670 | 17.7 |
| South Russell | Geauga | 3,972 | 18.7 |
| Twinsburg | Summit | 19,248 | 19.3 |
| Richfield | Summit | 3,729 | 20.0 |
| Boston Heights | Summit | 1,402 | 21.0 |
| Reminderville | Summit | 5,412 | 21.1 |
| Chesterland | Geauga | 7,074 | 21.2 |
| Kirtland | Lake | 6,937 | 21.3 |
| Bainbridge | Geauga | 9,242 | 22.2 |
| Sheffield Lake | Lorain | 8,957 | 22.6 |
| Aurora | Portage | 17,239 | 23.9 |
| Mentor-On-The-Lake | Lake | 7,131 | 24.6 |
| Streetsboro | Portage | 17,260 | 27.7 |
| Chardon | Geauga | 5,242 | 27.8 |
| Amherst | Lorain | 12,681 | 29.7 |
| Silver Lake | Summit | 2,516 | 29.8 |
| Fairlawn | Summit | 7,710 | 29.9 |
| Grafton | Lorain | 5,895 | 30.1 |
| Oberlin | Lorain | 8,555 | 32.8 |
| Tallmadge | Summit and Portage | 18,394 | 33.6 |
| Middlefield | Geauga | 2,748 | 33.7 |
Major Cities Near Cleveland Ohio
The following table has cities of at least 150,000 people within 300 miles of Cleveland. Depending on traffic, you can reach these cities near Cleveland Ohio in five hours or less. The table includes cities in Ontario, Canada. Many businesspeople who work in cities near Cleveland Ohio travel to these cities for work or recreation. These cities near Cleveland Ohio have great indoor and outdoor attractions, including unique shops, top-rated schools, and great dining options. You have easy access to these major cities near Cleveland Ohio thanks to major roads like Interstate 90, which runs west to east through Ohio and Indiana.
| City | Population | Distance From Cleveland in Miles |
| Akron, OH | 190,469 | 34.3 |
| Toledo, OH | 270,871 | 111 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 302,971 | 125 |
| Columbus, OH | 905,748 | 141 |
| Detroit, MI | 639,111 | 166 |
| Buffalo, NY | 278,349 | 187 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 263,886 | 193 |
| London, ON | 422,324 | 204 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,317 | 242 |
| Rochester, NY | 211,328 | 251 |
| Hamilton, ON | 569,353 | 253 |
| Kitchener, ON | 256,885 | 262 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 198,893 | 273 |
| Toronto, ON | 2,794,356 | 287 |
| Mississauga, ON | 717,961 | 290 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 887,642 | 290 |
Cleveland Area Cities FAQ
What Cities Are Near Cleveland Ohio?
Dozens of cities are near Cleveland, including Parma, Lorain, and Akron.
What Are the Closest Cities to Cleveland?
Newburgh Heights and Lakewood are the two closest cities to Cleveland, with each being less than six miles away from Cleveland.
What Major Cities Are Near Cleveland?
Akron, OH, Toledo, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA are the three closest major cities to Cleveland, being situated less than 125 miles from Cleveland.
The Cleveland metro area is a great place to live! Cities near Cleveland Ohio are diverse, safe, and full of interesting things to do, including stunning views of Lake Erie and great opportunities to explore the great outdoors. You have endless options for great Cleveland suburbs!
You can always use the best Cleveland movers to help you get to all cities near Cleveland Ohio. Summit Moving and Storage has over 65 years of experience in the moving industry, performing thousands of moves in cities near Cleveland Ohio. Call 216-641-6677 for a free estimate now.
