Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Ohio — 2026

Out of 1,435 ZIP codes with data in Ohio, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Ohio Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	1,435
Highest value	85/100
Median value	38/100
State	Ohio

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Purchase Risk	Safety Score
1	43791	White Cottage	OH	85/100	32/100
2	44902	Mansfield	OH	73/100	61/100
3	43943	Rayland	OH	68/100	54/100
4	43913	Brilliant	OH	66/100	64/100
5	45621	Coalton	OH	64/100	66/100
6	43527	Holgate	OH	63/100	63/100
7	43912	Bridgeport	OH	63/100	54/100
8	43914	Cameron	OH	63/100	55/100
9	43925	East Springfield	OH	63/100	53/100
10	44131	Independence	OH	63/100	56/100
11	43901	Adena	OH	62/100	50/100
12	43723	Byesville	OH	61/100	54/100
13	43940	Neffs	OH	61/100	40/100
14	45144	Manchester	OH	61/100	56/100
15	45711	Amesville	OH	61/100	68/100
16	43524	Hamler	OH	60/100	58/100
17	43988	Scio	OH	60/100	66/100
18	44274	Sharon Center	OH	60/100	63/100
19	45334	Jackson Center	OH	60/100	64/100
20	45403	Dayton	OH	60/100	44/100
21	43717	Belle Valley	OH	59/100	71/100
22	43971	Yorkville	OH	59/100	64/100
23	43985	Holloway	OH	59/100	61/100
24	43986	Jewett	OH	59/100	56/100
25	45410	Dayton	OH	59/100	32/100
26	45750	Marietta	OH	59/100	59/100
27	43144	Murray City	OH	58/100	74/100
28	43902	Alledonia	OH	58/100	53/100
29	45404	Dayton	OH	58/100	44/100
30	45769	Pomeroy	OH	58/100	69/100
31	45891	Van Wert	OH	58/100	46/100
32	43222	Columbus	OH	57/100	68/100
33	43332	La Rue	OH	57/100	40/100
34	43942	Powhatan Point	OH	57/100	58/100
35	43976	Hopedale	OH	57/100	54/100
36	44308	Akron	OH	57/100	62/100
37	44628	Glenmont	OH	57/100	66/100
38	44702	Canton	OH	57/100	53/100
39	44833	Galion	OH	57/100	56/100
40	45402	Dayton	OH	57/100	44/100
41	45405	Dayton	OH	57/100	44/100
42	45430	Dayton	OH	57/100	44/100
43	43724	Caldwell	OH	56/100	57/100
44	44491	West Farmington	OH	56/100	78/100
45	44503	Youngstown	OH	56/100	80/100
46	44641	Louisville	OH	56/100	59/100
47	44644	Malvern	OH	56/100	57/100
48	44689	Wilmot	OH	56/100	64/100
49	44690	Winesburg	OH	56/100	65/100
50	45347	New Paris	OH	56/100	57/100
51	45369	South Vienna	OH	56/100	48/100
52	45414	Dayton	OH	56/100	39/100
53	45416	Dayton	OH	56/100	32/100
54	45417	Dayton	OH	56/100	44/100
55	45419	Dayton	OH	56/100	39/100
56	45469	Dayton	OH	56/100	32/100
57	45723	Coolville	OH	56/100	69/100
58	45775	Rutland	OH	56/100	72/100
59	45875	Ottawa	OH	56/100	67/100
60	43210	Columbus	OH	55/100	64/100
61	43331	Lakeview	OH	55/100	61/100
62	43725	Cambridge	OH	55/100	59/100
63	43764	New Lexington	OH	55/100	45/100
64	43934	Lansing	OH	55/100	45/100
65	43952	Steubenville	OH	55/100	60/100
66	43968	Wellsville	OH	55/100	59/100
67	44314	Akron	OH	55/100	52/100
68	44720	North Canton	OH	55/100	46/100
69	44807	Attica	OH	55/100	62/100
70	45406	Dayton	OH	55/100	44/100
71	45409	Dayton	OH	55/100	44/100
72	45415	Dayton	OH	55/100	39/100
73	45805	Lima	OH	55/100	63/100
74	43205	Columbus	OH	54/100	68/100
75	43964	Toronto	OH	54/100	61/100
76	44222	Cuyahoga Falls	OH	54/100	65/100
77	44637	Killbuck	OH	54/100	51/100
78	44688	Waynesburg	OH	54/100	60/100
79	44815	Bettsville	OH	54/100	69/100
80	45062	Seven Mile	OH	54/100	70/100
81	45203	Cincinnati	OH	54/100	65/100
82	45226	Cincinnati	OH	54/100	55/100
83	45343	Miamisburg	OH	54/100	65/100
84	45420	Dayton	OH	54/100	39/100
85	45426	Dayton	OH	54/100	39/100
86	45746	Macksburg	OH	54/100	55/100
87	45764	Nelsonville	OH	54/100	53/100
88	45801	Lima	OH	54/100	63/100
89	43223	Columbus	OH	53/100	58/100
90	43316	Carey	OH	53/100	58/100
91	43344	Richwood	OH	53/100	64/100
92	43512	Defiance	OH	53/100	52/100
93	43604	Toledo	OH	53/100	77/100
94	43719	Bethesda	OH	53/100	61/100
95	43907	Cadiz	OH	53/100	49/100
96	44221	Cuyahoga Falls	OH	53/100	69/100
97	44237	Hudson	OH	53/100	65/100
98	44302	Akron	OH	53/100	58/100
99	44311	Akron	OH	53/100	62/100
100	44609	Beloit	OH	53/100	61/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.