Living in Ohio

Are you considering moving to Ohio? Let's discuss the essential things to know about life in Ohio!

Moving to a new state can be overwhelming at times. We're here to walk you through the essential things you need to know before moving 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.

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, restaurants to dine at, lakes, and more.

When moving to Ohio, you will be surrounded by some of the best cities. Their most known cities are Columbus, Toledo, Clevland, and Cincinnati. These cities have so much to offer within their walls for people who are residing there or visiting. Ohio is also home to some fantastic sports teams like the NFL teams, the Clevland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, the NBA team, the Clevland Cavaliers, the MLB team Cincinnati Reds, and much more.

Keep reading to learn about all the great things about life in Ohio.

Here are the ten things to know about living in Ohio

Cost of Living

Because every state is different regarding this topic, we will discuss what it costs to live in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is 9 percent lower than the national average. Breaking it down further, the housing costs are 23 percent lower than the national average, utilities are 8 percent lower, and healthcare is 3 percent lower.

Those numbers sound great. However, the cost of living will vary depending on which city you want to move to. The more expensive cities to live in are Cleveland and Cincinnati. The cost of living is 2 percent higher than the state average in both areas. Lima is the cheapest city to live in, at 4 percent below the state average.

Here are the costs of necessities in Ohio compared to the national average.

Housing	23% lower
Utilities	8% lower
Food	1% lower
Healthcare	3% lower
Transportation	2% lower
Goods & Services	1% lower

Source: RentCafe

Overall, Ohio is one of the more affordable states to live in. Living in dense urban cities will be more expensive than living in rural areas. 

Booming Job Market

Ohio has had a growing job market for quite some time. If you are considering relocating to Ohio for new job opportunities, you have picked the right place. Overall, Ohio is above average when it comes to finding a job. Like every other state, the bigger job markets will be near the larger cities in the state.

Some of the top employers in Ohio are Kroger, Concentrix, Procter & Gamble, Goodyear, American Electric Power Company, and more! Companies like Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Union Home Mortgage Corp., and Progressive have won "Northeast Ohio Top Workplaces" in 2022.

The job market is better near the capital, Columbus, and surrounding cities. 

An average salary in Ohio is around $47,000 annually or over $22 an hour. The best industries to work in are healthcare, finance, real estate, and law.

Real Estate Market

With more and more people moving into specific areas in Ohio and out of the older cities, the housing market has seen an up-and-down trend over the last couple of years. Along with the rest of the country, inflation in interest rates and housing prices have caused an increase. 

Experts are predicting the housing market in Ohio will start to steady out as inflation starts to dwindle. Just so you know, the housing prices and demand may vary depending on which area you are considering relocating to. If you are looking to move to Columbus, the prices there for homes will be higher than homes in more rural areas. Check out the best places to live in Ohio for more information on individual cities.

As of September 2022, housing prices have increased 12 percent since 2021. The average home price in Ohio is around mid $200,000. However, the average home price in Columbus is around mid $300,000. 

Depending on where you are relocating will determine what the average housing costs are. We suggest you contact a local Realtor to discuss numbers more specifically to determine which city is the best for you. 

Education

According to locals, the education in Ohio could be better. However, the Ohio Senate has been trying to advance educational programs for the better of the students and families. A plan was implemented in 2023 to pass the first bill that would remake the Ohio Department of Education. 

What kind of schools and educational boards depend solely on which counties or towns you reside in. 

Ohio is home to many excellent colleges and universities. Some are Ohio State University, the University of Dayton, Kent State University, and the University of Cincinnati. 

Average Weather

Because of Ohio's location in the midwest, they have cooler climates compared to more southern states. The summers here are warm, humid, and partly cloudy, and the winters are very cold and windy, with tons of snow. 

If you plan on moving to Ohio, we suggest bringing heavy clothes to keep you warm through the cold months. The warmest months in Ohio are only through the months of mid-June to mid-September. 

Overall Crime

Like most other states, you will find the most crime in more populated large cities. Overall, Ohio is a reasonably safe state to live in and visit. When deciding if a place is safe to your standards, it would be best to do your own research and be cautious no matter where you live or visit. If you are moving alone, refer to our Living Alone: Home Safety Checklist for more information about staying safe. 

	Violent	Property	Total
Number of Crimes	39,600	217,474	257,074
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)	3.36	18.46	21.82

Source: Neighborhoodscout

Biggest Cities

City	Population	Growth Rate	Cost of Living compared to the national average	What they are known for
Columbus	943,364	+ 1.28%	10% lower	Ohio's state capital. It is home to the largest college campus in the country.
Cleveland	365,367	- 0.66%	6% lower	Known as a manufacturing hub. It is home to major attractions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cincinnati	313,028	+ 0.4%	5% lower	Known as the "Beer Capital of the World," Cincinnati is home to over 50 breweries.
Toledo	265,969	- 0.61%	7% lower	Home to the Mud Hens baseball team, the Jeep headquarters, and the Toledo Museum of Art.

Best Dining Options

Learning about the famous restaurants and dining options throughout the state is fascinating when moving to or visiting new places. Ohio is home to some of the best restaurants of various cuisines. Here are a few of those delicious establishments. 

If you didn't already know, Ohio is most known for its skyline chili. It has become the state's signature dish dating back to 1949. If you have never tried this chili, we highly recommend it. 

The Golden Lamb

This older establishment in Lebanon has been an Ohio favorite for a long time. Since 1803, the Golden Lamb has been a gathering place for everyone. It is known for its excellent service and memorable food and drinks in an atmosphere that can't be found elsewhere.

Every day the dishes are prepared from scratch for a delicious meal and a unique experience.

Spread Eagle Tavern

Here you can experience a fantastic meal while dining in a historic building that dates back to the early 19th century. Spread Eagle Tavern is a unique place in Hanoverton that will be discussed after your visit. They have seven different dining rooms, each with different vibes. If you want a more private setting, then you would lean towards the William McKinley room. You can enjoy the log barn room if you want a more rugged environment.

Arnold's Bar and Grill

Arnold's Bar and Grill is one of Cincinnati's oldest taverns. As you walk through the doors, you will be greeted with old-school fixtures, dark wood, walls full of art, and lots of energy. They serve delicious American comfort food and tasty drinks. This place is a classic of Cincinnati.

Kewpee Hamburgers

This establishment has been around in the Lima community since 1928. Kewpee Hamburgers serves freshly smashed burgers choosing whichever toppings you would like. They also have other options like a fish, cheese, or vegetable sandwich. 

Mancy's Steakhouse

Located in Toledo, you will find this steakhouse that has been around for 100 years. Everything you will find at Mancy's Steakhouse is fresh and made from scratch. The chefs age and butcher the meats on site. Menu items like bread, sauces, and dressings are all made from scratch frequently. This is the perfect place for a family meal or date night. 

Sports Central

If you love anything sports, Ohio has it all! They are home to tons of professional sports teams that are so loved by their community. Ohio has become sports central! Here are a few of those professional teams!

NFL 

They are home to the Clevland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. Both of these teams have been highly supported by their fans and families. The Bengals have recently drafted their quarterback Joe Burrow and have since had great seasons and even made it to the Super Bowl in 2022.

On the other hand, the Browns have had a challenging time getting into the Super Bowl. They have yet to make an appearance. However, the Browns have won eight championships in its time. 

MLB 

Ohio also has two MLB professional teams. The Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds! 

The Guardians have won six AL pennants and two World Series titles. The last time they won a championship was in 1948. This team began as a minor league team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and moved to Ohio in the early 1900s, creating the Cleveland Guardians. 

The Reds have won a total of nine NL pennants and five World Series titles, the last one being in 1990. This team is known to be the start of American baseball. Dating back to 1869, the MLB started with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. 

NBA

If you love basketball, Ohio also has a home team for the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers, aka the Cavs. The Cavs have become a highly loved team throughout the nation. Their season began in 1970, and since they have won several division titles, conference titles, and a few Hall of Fame players.

NHL

Ohio is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A professional ice hockey team and the only team based in Ohio. This team was founded in 2000 and has only played 22 seasons. They have yet to win a championship to earn the Stanley Cup. 

History

French fur traders initially colonized Ohio. The state became a British colonial possession following the French and Indian War. Ohio officially became a state on March 1, 1803, but no formal declaration was made until 1953. 

Ohio received its nickname, the Buckeye state, because of the abundance of local buckeye trees. The fruit on these trees was believed to resemble the eye of a male deer by the early American Indians.

A fun fact about Ohio is that it is known to be the "Mother of Modern Presidents." Seven United States presidents were born in Ohio. Some of those presidents are Ulysses S. Grant, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, and more.

What life is like in Ohio - Our Last Words

We hope this guide to life in Ohio has helped you understand what this state has to offer. It is a state full of history, sports, and beer. You will meet a large welcoming community when visiting or relocating to Ohio. Ohio is an affordable place to live, so it is a highly appreciated state. 

If you are considering moving to Ohio, please contact us today to connect with a local Real Estate specialist who can help guide you through the home-buying and moving process.