Cost of Living in Ohio
Ohio has 62 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Springfield (cost index 90.0) to Newark (113.0), with a statewide average around 96.3 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Youngstown at $718/mo and highest in Mason at $1,670/mo.
Ohio at a Glance
Cities Tracked
62
with census data
Avg Cost Index
96.3
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,082
per month
Avg Household Income
$73,798
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 90.0 | $805 |
| Middletown | 92.5 | $974 |
| Green | 93.8 | $1,200 |
| Columbus | 94.1 | $1,224 |
| Kent | 94.1 | $983 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in Ohio
State Income Tax
3.50%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
5.75%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in Ohio
Ohio Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Columbus | 906,480 | 94.1 | $1,224 | $234,500 | $65,327 |
| Cleveland | 367,523 | — | $894 | $94,100 | $39,187 |
| Cincinnati | 309,595 | — | $953 | $215,300 | $51,707 |
| Toledo | 268,461 | — | $880 | $107,000 | $47,532 |
| Akron | 189,526 | — | $930 | $111,200 | $48,544 |
| Dayton | 136,741 | — | $866 | $93,200 | $43,454 |
| Parma | 80,131 | — | $1,053 | $157,600 | $67,425 |
| Canton | 70,105 | — | $826 | $94,400 | $39,754 |
| Lorain | 65,207 | — | $839 | $123,500 | $45,799 |
| Hamilton | 63,124 | — | $974 | $152,300 | $54,293 |
| Youngstown | 59,605 | — | $718 | $58,400 | $34,746 |
| Springfield | 58,410 | 90.0 | $805 | $107,600 | $45,883 |
| Kettering | 57,442 | — | $983 | $192,500 | $71,619 |
| Elyria | 52,833 | — | $859 | $142,800 | $53,204 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 50,864 | — | $1,029 | $174,700 | $70,645 |
| Middletown | 50,607 | 92.5 | $974 | $148,300 | $54,985 |
| Newark | 50,393 | 113.0 | $926 | $174,100 | $58,920 |
| Lakewood | 50,229 | — | $1,013 | $241,500 | $65,925 |
| Dublin | 49,031 | — | $1,596 | $514,900 | $155,282 |
| Euclid | 48,991 | — | $984 | $114,700 | $48,696 |
| Mansfield | 47,686 | — | $768 | $110,600 | $42,605 |
| Mentor | 47,215 | — | $1,192 | $229,500 | $89,202 |
| Beavercreek | 46,787 | — | $1,410 | $261,200 | $110,064 |
| Strongsville | 46,022 | — | $1,253 | $279,600 | $102,574 |
| Cleveland Heights | 44,694 | — | $1,139 | $176,700 | $72,302 |
| Fairfield | 44,597 | — | $1,145 | $218,100 | $70,166 |
| Huber Heights | 43,266 | — | $1,214 | $161,900 | $76,551 |
| Delaware | 43,168 | — | $1,203 | $279,400 | $92,928 |
| Grove City | 41,831 | — | $1,282 | $283,300 | $90,888 |
| Reynoldsburg | 41,032 | — | $1,227 | $230,300 | $71,381 |
| Lancaster | 40,902 | — | $999 | $180,200 | $54,901 |
| Findlay | 40,280 | — | $917 | $183,300 | $57,344 |
| Warren | 39,057 | 96.3 | $759 | $80,100 | $36,955 |
| Westerville | 38,543 | — | $1,409 | $343,200 | $107,054 |
| Hilliard | 36,560 | — | $1,590 | $360,000 | $122,864 |
| Upper Arlington | 36,319 | — | $1,480 | $568,200 | $150,993 |
| North Ridgeville | 36,043 | — | $1,067 | $254,700 | $94,234 |
| Marion | 35,771 | — | $848 | $105,900 | $45,829 |
| Gahanna | 35,438 | — | $1,442 | $322,300 | $106,004 |
| Lima | 35,304 | — | $865 | $95,900 | $43,370 |
| Brunswick | 35,284 | — | $1,115 | $233,300 | $85,313 |
| Mason | 35,148 | — | $1,670 | $397,900 | $124,407 |
| Fairborn | 34,506 | — | $968 | $169,600 | $55,966 |
| Stow | 34,317 | — | $1,204 | $238,000 | $91,933 |
| Westlake | 34,036 | — | $1,480 | $336,100 | $110,101 |
| Massillon | 32,177 | — | $846 | $138,800 | $55,308 |
| North Olmsted | 32,031 | — | $1,092 | $202,400 | $85,435 |
| North Royalton | 31,013 | — | $1,061 | $276,300 | $81,810 |
| Austintown | 30,215 | — | $767 | $133,000 | $50,855 |
| Bowling Green | 30,051 | — | $874 | $217,300 | $46,719 |
| Garfield Heights | 29,369 | — | $1,085 | $100,000 | $52,006 |
| Shaker Heights | 29,004 | — | $1,149 | $288,000 | $97,721 |
| Green | 27,381 | 93.8 | $1,200 | $269,400 | $92,653 |
| Kent | 27,190 | 94.1 | $983 | $210,700 | $42,524 |
| Wooster | 27,012 | — | $882 | $198,400 | $65,888 |
| Troy | 26,716 | 96.6 | $934 | $199,400 | $70,450 |
| Marysville | 26,540 | — | $1,179 | $271,000 | $92,490 |
| Medina | 26,040 | — | $1,025 | $231,700 | $76,099 |
| Xenia | 25,555 | — | $895 | $147,300 | $54,616 |
| Avon Lake | 25,456 | — | $1,500 | $337,200 | $110,174 |
| Avon | 25,082 | — | $1,446 | $377,100 | $126,618 |
| Perrysburg | 25,065 | — | $1,213 | $306,500 | $105,226 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Ohio cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Ohio cities stack up across the US. For example, Columbus vs Cleveland.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Ohio
What is the cost of living in Ohio?
The average cost of living index across cities in Ohio is approximately 96.3 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,082/month and median household income averages around $73,798/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Ohio?
The most affordable cities in Ohio by cost of living index are: 1. Springfield (index 90.0), 2. Middletown (index 92.5), 3. Green (index 93.8).
What is the median rent in Ohio?
The average median gross rent across cities in Ohio is approximately $1,082/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Ohio?
Ohio's top marginal state income tax rate is 3.50%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in Ohio?
Ohio's statewide sales tax rate is 5.75%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to Ohio?
Ohio has a cost of living index of approximately 96.3 and average median rent around $1,082/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology