Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $782 in Indiana versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Ohio, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,293 in Indiana and $51,707 in Ohio — about 14% higher in Indiana. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
5.75%
+1.3 pp in Indiana
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
2.75%
+0.2 pp in Indiana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$782
$817
+4% in Ohio
Median Home Value
$169,700
$215,300
+27% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,293
$51,707
+14% in Indiana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
52.7°F
+0.5°F in Indiana
Indiana vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Ohio?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 runs about 4% below Ohio's $817, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Indiana than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Indiana versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Indiana or Ohio?
- Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Indiana/Ohio — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.