The Real Cost of Living in Ohio

What is the cost of living in Ohio? Here is what it will cost you to move to Ohio. 

Ohio is a beautiful state located in the midwest of the United States, near Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia. You may hear people refer to Ohio as the Buckeye State. With a large population of 11.75 million residents, this state has a lot of greatness to offer. Specifically, Ohio has been known to be a super affordable state to reside in, with many affordable homes for sale. 

Let's talk about what this state is widely known for. Ohio is widely known for it being the birthplace of aviation. It is also famous for Cedar Point Amusement Park, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Living in Ohio will give you access to many things to do, including top-rated restaurants and family-friendly activities, all of which are inexpensive.

If you are considering moving to Ohio, this guide discusses the cost of living in this state. Even though Ohio has some well-known significant cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, this state is still ranked as affordable. We will discuss the cost of transportation, utilities, the average income, the overall cost of healthcare, and more. Please keep reading to learn more about what it will cost you to live in Ohio.

Here is a breakdown of the cost of living in Ohio

Cost of Living

As mentioned above, Ohio's overall cost of living is highly affordable. You can live in this state without breaking the bank, which is one of the great things about living in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is around 9 percent lower than the national average. This makes Ohio a great place for those looking for an inexpensive state to relocate to.

However, it is essential to remember that this is just the average cost of living for the state. These numbers and prices may vary depending on your city or county. If you are considering living in Cleveland or Cincinnati, be prepared for things to be more expensive than in other cities like Lima. Lima is the cheapest city to live in, with the cost of living being 4 percent lower than the state average.

Various factors, like housing, utilities, food, and transportation, determine the cost of living. As you continue to read this guide, we will detail each of these aspects.

Income

First, let's discuss the average income for Ohio. This plays a massive role in the cost of living because what you earn calculates whether things are affordable. Some people may be earning a salary that is less than the average, which makes what they can afford slim. Then, on the other hand, you have those that may be making more than the average, and their version of affordable can differentiate a lot from the average "affordability."

According to the Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size, in 2022, the average income for a single person was $54,877. For a family size of three people, the average household income was $82,734. For a family of more than four people, add $9,900 for each additional person. This average is the same for most other states, so don't fret.

Data from a survey done in 2021 explains the best-paying jobs in Ohio. These jobs include psychiatrists, Airline Pilots, OBGYNs, Physicians, Chief Executives, Computer and Information System Managers, and more.

Housing 

Overall, Ohio's housing cost is 23 percent lower than the national average. For those who are considering moving to Ohio, affording a home, whether that be purchasing one or renting one, either way, it is affordable. 

According to Ohio REALTORS, the average sales price of a home is $245,459, which was a 4 percent increase from February 2022. The general housing market in Ohio decreased by 13.5 percent from a year ago. In February of last year, there were 9,284 homes sold. This February, there were 8,032. The housing market in Ohio has started to slow down in just a year.

However, some of the larger cities in Ohio, like Columbus and Cincinnati, have different housing markets because those areas are more desirable for people to move to. Each town has a different kind of market.

To learn more about those housing markets, check out our guide on moving to Columbus.

Utilities

No matter where you live or what you live in, utilities are an important bill that has to be paid monthly. Luckily, for those considering relocating to Ohio, the average monthly utility bill is 8 percent lower than the national average.

The use of electricity is what most people spend the majority of their money on monthly. An Ohio resident spends around $156 monthly on electricity, up to $1,872 a year. That may seem like a lot, but to put it in perspective, the national average yearly utility bill is $2,362, much more than Ohio's average.

An average water bill in Ohio varies depending on where you live. Some cities have a median water bill between $18 and $30. And then other cities have a monthly water bill of around $40 and up. Your water bill is determined by how many gallons of water you use throughout the month. Also, water bills are more expensive in the summertime because water is used more often for sprinklers, watering plants, etc.

Dining and Groceries

The majority of people spend most of their money on food compared to anything else on a daily or monthly basis. The debate continues whether it is cheaper to either dine out or buy groceries and cook at home. The bottom line is food, in general, is not the most affordable to purchase, especially for those who are feeding more than just themselves.

On the plus side, the cost of food in Ohio is 1 percent less than the national average. Not a huge difference, but still cheaper. You can expect to spend around $300 per month on groceries for a single adult. And for those with large families, you can expect to pay about $700 to $900 a month.

The amount of money you spend on food and groceries a month varies from person to person. Some people love going to fine dining restaurants and spending hundreds of dollars, and some prefer to use that money on other things. 

But overall, Ohio's cost of food is similar to the national average.

Transportation

Transportation is a significant expense in people's daily lives. Whether you own your own car or take public transportation, it can add up fairly quickly how much you spend on transportation. Overall, the cost of transportation in Ohio is 2 percent lower than the national average.

If you own a car in Ohio, you are likely putting gas in it. The average cost of gas currently is around $3.24 per gallon. The national average for gas prices is around $3.44 per gallon. For those who live in Ohio, you have decently priced gas. How often you drive your car around and get gas will be different for every person, meaning the monthly average a resident in Ohio spends on gas will vary.

For those who use public transportation to get around, Ohio has tons of different options. Here are a few of those options. For more public transit, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation.

• Central Ohio Transit Authority - Columbus
  • Public Bus
    • Express Monthly: $85
    • Local Monthly: $62
• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority - Cleveland
  • Public Bus and Rail
    • Bus/Rapid/BRT: $85
    • Senior/Disabled: $38
• Metro Regional Transit Authority
  • Public Bus
    • General 31-Day Pass: $50
    • Reduced 31-Day Pass: $30

Healthcare

Healthcare plays a considerable role in our lives. Without great and affordable healthcare, residents wouldn't be able to get the help that they need. Ohio's healthcare cost is 3 percent lower than the national average. Because healthcare is one of the most expensive expenses Americans have, it is good that Ohio has affordable care.

However, as stated by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio in 2021, Ohio ranks near the bottom at 47th in the nation in health value compared to other states. This means that residents of Ohio live less healthy lives and spend more on health care than people in other states.

This is an excellent example of why taking care of yourself to the best ability is important. Eating well, exercising, and visiting the doctor when needed is essential.

Taxes

Ohio's sales tax rate is 5.75 percent for the state and 2.25 percent for local, combined with an overall sales tax rate of 7.24 percent. Ohio's sales tax is a little below the national average of 7.25 percent combined rates. 

On the other hand, Ohio has very high-income taxes and property rates compared to other states in the nation. A quick look at the numbers to put it in perspective; if you are single and make between $21,750 and $43,349, you will be paying a marginal tax rate of 2.85 percent. If you make between $43,450 and $86,899, the marginal tax rate is 3.33 percent.

The average Ohio property tax rate is 1.41 percent, which ranks as the 13th highest in the United States. However, property tax rates vary between counties and cities. The highest rates are in Cuyahoga County, with a property tax rate of 2.51 percent. The county with the lowest rate of 0.86 percent is Lawrence County.

Pros and Cons of Cost of Living in Ohio

Pros

• Affordable cost of living average with all factors taken into account
• Inexpensive utilities
• Great housing prices and the market is good overall in Ohio
• Affordable grocery expenses
• Reasonable prices for gas and transportation
• Average sales tax rates

Cons

• The median income for Ohio is less than the national average
• Healthcare is not the best in Ohio
• High-income tax and property taxes

FAQs

Is Ohio an expensive state to live in?

The short answer is no. Ohio is one of the most affordable states to live in. As mentioned above, Ohio's cost of living is 9 percent less than the national average. 

What part of Ohio is the cheapest to live in?

Some of the cheapest towns to live in are Steubenville, Youngstown, and Mansfield. 

What is a good salary in Ohio?

This answer will vary depending on who you are and your circumstances. The definition of a good salary is different for every person. However, the average salary in Ohio is $54,877, which comes out to be $4,573 a month.

Does Ohio have cheap housing?

Ohio is one of the cheapest states to live in when purchasing a home since housing costs are 23 percent less than the national average. Even Ohio's biggest cities, like Cincinnati and Columbus, are cheaper to live in than other cities, such as Chicago. 

Cost of Living in Ohio - Our Last Words

As you read through this guide on the cost of living in Ohio, you will notice that it is a great place to live. The overall cost of living in Ohio is 9 percent lower than the national average, so it is an affordable place to reside. 

It is crucial to remember that each factor, and the overall cost of living, will differentiate depending on which city and county you are considering living in. Ohio has so much to offer its residents and visitors, which makes moving here and visiting worth it. 

If you're considering moving to Ohio, please feel free to contact us today to get connected with the experts at UpHomes.