Hilliard Schools, Columbus Taxes

The Lori Lynn Group · Keller Williams Consultants Realty · March 2026

There's a pocket of Northwest Hilliard where buyers get to have their cake and eat it too — and most people have no idea it exists.

It sits near the intersection of Hilliard-Rome and Roberts Road, tucked into streets like Grandon Drive and Gilwood, and it comes with a combination that's genuinely rare in Central Ohio: Hilliard City Schools with Columbus tax rates. That's not a typo. Many homes in this specific area carry a Hilliard mailing address but fall within Columbus tax districts — which means a lower monthly tax burden than properties inside Hilliard Corporation limits, while still sending your kids to one of the most sought-after school districts in the region. For buyers watching their monthly carry costs closely in 2026, that detail alone has been moving homes.

What the Numbers Look Like Right Now

The broader Hilliard market is active heading into spring. Median sale prices are sitting in the $397,000–$415,000 range, closed sales in the Hilliard City Schools district were up 62% in January compared to last year, and inventory has grown about 20% year-over-year — giving buyers a little more breathing room without tipping the scales away from sellers.

In the Grandon Drive area specifically, values generally run between $300,000 and $375,000 depending on size, layout, and finish level. A three-bedroom ranch typically lands in the $302,000–$330,000 range, while larger four-bedroom models are pushing closer to $370,000. Recent sales in the pocket back that up — a home on Kroehler Drive closed in February 2026 at $355,000, and 5063 Gilwood Drive fetched $380,000 just last month. Well-maintained homes here are still commanding strong prices even as the broader market finds its balance.

The average days on market has stretched to around 44 days, up about 18% from last year — which sounds like a slowdown but is really just a return to normal. Homes are still selling near list price, with sale-to-list ratios hovering right around 99.5%. This is a balanced market doing what a healthy market is supposed to do.

Why Northwest Hilliard Keeps Holding Its Value

The school district is the anchor. Hilliard City Schools consistently earns strong ratings, and families relocating to Central Ohio — from Dayton, New York, Cleveland, and increasingly from coasts like Los Angeles and San Francisco — are specifically targeting this zip code because of it. When that kind of demand is structural rather than seasonal, values tend to hold even when the broader market shifts.

Add in the tax advantage for homes in the Columbus district, the established character of the neighborhood, and the fact that inventory is finally starting to loosen after years of the lock-in effect keeping would-be sellers on the sidelines — and you have a market that's genuinely moving in 2026.

What This Means for You

If you own a home on Grandon Drive, Gilwood, or anywhere in this Northwest Hilliard pocket, your equity position is likely stronger than you think. The combination of Hilliard City School District demand, tax advantages, and rising closed sales creates real leverage for sellers who price correctly and present well.

If you're looking to buy in this area, the window of slightly more inventory and slightly more negotiating room won't stay open forever. Spring competition in Hilliard is historically strong, and the buyers who move early tend to get better terms.

This neighborhood has always been one of Central Ohio's best-kept secrets. In 2026, the secret is getting out — and that's very good news if you already own here.

Get the Hilliard Local Guide

Want the full picture on Northwest Hilliard home values, school data, and neighborhood trends? Kenton put together a free Hilliard Local Guide specifically for homeowners and buyers in this area — no pressure, no pitch, just the local intel you actually need.

Download the Hilliard Local Guide here or reach out directly to get your copy.