Ohio cost of living
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Moving to a new state can give you a chance to find your place. There are a lot of factors involved in a move, so it’s important to figure out the practical things. Then you can free yourself up to start finding new friends and making your new state your new home.
If you’re thinking about moving to Ohio, you can make the transition a little easier by getting a sense of the cost of living in advance of your relocation. We’re here to help.
The median rent in Ohio is $1,444.10, versus the national median rent of $1,529.01.
Jump to insightResidents in Ohio spend $253.74 weekly on food at home and $89.13 on food out.
Jump to insightAs of publishing, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $3.49 in Ohio.
Jump to insightRecent data shows that employees in Ohio pay $1,473 annually for employee-sponsored health insurance coverage.
Jump to insightHousing costs in Ohio
According to recent data from Zillow, the median rent in Ohio is $1,444.10, while the national median rent is $1,529.01.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows rent prices in Ohio broken down by home size. As of publishing, one-bedroom apartments in Ohio had a median cost of $762 per month, and the two-bedroom median cost was $977 per month. Three- and four-bedroom homes had median costs of $1,083 and $1,181, respectively.
As of publishing, the median home price in Ohio is $243,000, according to Redfin. The U.S. median home price is $436,000.
The median home price in the Columbus metro area was $306,600 in the first quarter of 2024, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The same data showed the median home price in the Cleveland metro was $191,900.
Ohio ranks No. 9 for highest effective property tax rates in the nation, according to the most recent Tax Foundation data, at 1.59%.
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Food costs in Ohio
According to recent census data, the average spent on food to prepare at home each week in Ohio is $253.74, compared with the U.S. average of $270.21 at the time. Ohio residents spend an average of $89.13 weekly on food prepared outside the home, compared with the U.S. average of $109.21.
Transportation costs in Ohio
According to recent data from AAA, the average price per gallon of regular gas in Ohio is $3.49, compared with the U.S. average of $3.46.
The most recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners data shows that the average auto insurance premium (liability, collision and comprehensive coverage combined) in Ohio is $852.21, versus the national average of $1,189.50.
Public transportation costs
Public transit opportunities depend on where you live in Ohio. Columbus came in at No. 33 in our latest ranking of cities with the best public transit. The average fare was $1.15 as of 2022. Cincinnati wasn’t far behind at No. 36, with an average fare of $1.51 at the same time. Cleveland finished No. 48.
Health care costs in Ohio
The most recent KFF data shows that, on average, employer-sponsored health insurance cost Ohio employees $1,473 annually, with employers covering the remaining $6,270 of the $7,743 total cost.
Nationwide, the average employee contribution was $1,637 out of a total premium of $7,590.
Utility costs in Ohio
According to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration, the average monthly electric bill in Ohio is $121.07, versus $135.25 countrywide.
Recent EIA data also shows that natural gas in Ohio costs $9.90 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $13.25 nationally.
FAQ
How does the cost of living in Ohio compare with the national average?
The overall cost of living is much lower in Ohio than in most states. In fact, we ranked the state fifth least expensive on our 2023 list of states with the lowest cost of living.
Is Ohio good for retirees?
We ranked Akron No. 9 on our 2024 list of best cities for retirees, thanks in large part to the lower cost of living.
How much do I need to make to live in Cleveland?
A single adult needs to make about $52,765.53 a year to live comfortably in Cleveland, according to our 2024 story on income required to live in various U.S. cities.
How much do I need to make to live in Cincinnati?
Our 2024 analysis showed that you’d need a salary of $55,253.43 to live comfortably in Cincinnati.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Zillow, “Housing Data.” Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Redfin, "Redfin Data Center." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Tax Foundation, "Where Do People Pay the Most in Property Taxes?" Accessed May 14, 2024.
- United States Census Bureau, "Week 63 Household Pulse Survey: October 18 - October 30." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- AAA Gas Prices, "State Gas Price Averages." Accessed June 14, 2024.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, "2020/2021 Auto Insurance Database Report." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- KFF, "Average Annual Single Premium per Enrolled Employee For Employer-Based Health Insurance." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, "2022 Average Monthly Bill- Residential." Accessed May 14, 2024.
