Cost of Living in Ohio
Based on 1 city we track in Ohio.
Cost of living in Ohio is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,059 a month — 11% lower than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $65,327, 9% lower than the $71,716 median across the states we track. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,059
Median Home Value
$234,500
Median Income
$65,327
Avg Temperature
52.7°F
Medians across the Ohio cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5.75%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 2.75%
Cities in Ohio
Compare Ohio with
Ohio cost of living — FAQ
- Is Ohio expensive to live in?
- Ohio is around the middle of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,059 ranks #20 of 28 and is 11% lower than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in Ohio?
- Across the 1 city we track in Ohio, average rent runs a studio around $1,014, a one-bedroom around $1,059, a two-bedroom around $1,276, a three-bedroom around $1,369 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Ohio?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Ohio is $234,500 — 26% lower than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does Ohio have a state income tax?
- Yes — Ohio's top state income tax rate is 2.75% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5.75%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Ohio?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,059 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Ohio is $65,327.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).