Cost of Living in Ohio [2025]

Ohio is an underdog state with plenty to offer. It’s affordable, unpretentious, and full of little surprises. Think ferry rides on Lake Erie in the summer or world-class art museums tucked into unexpected corners. And yes, the neighbors really will talk to you at the grocery store.

If you’re thinking about a move and want more value for your money, Ohio is worth a closer look. Let’s break down the cost of living in Ohio—from rent and groceries to healthcare and everything in between—and see if it’s a match.

What Is the Cost of Living in Ohio?

If you're looking to relocate to a state with a reasonable cost of living, put Ohio at the top of your list. Currently, the cost of living in Ohio is 17.3% below the national average, making Ohio the 14th-cheapest state in the U.S. We also looked at a breakdown of the data of different cost-of-living categories in Ohio when compared to the rest of the U.S.

Where Is the Cost of Living Highest in Ohio?

Ohio is known for its affordability, but some cities are more expensive than others. The most expensive big city in Ohio is Columbus, where the cost of living is 10.5% higher than the state average and 8.6% lower than in the rest of the U.S. Here's a breakdown of the cost-of-living categories in Columbus.

Where Is the Cost of Living Most Affordable in Ohio?

If you're looking for the ultimate affordability in Ohio, you can look toward Youngstown: the cheapest major city in Ohio. Youngstown's cost of living is 10.0% lower than the state average and 25.6% lower than the national average. Here's a look at what you'll spend on your cost of living in Youngstown.

What Is the Average Rent in Ohio?

The overall rent in Ohio currently averages around $1,634 a month across bedrooms of all sizes. Here's how that breaks down for different cities.

Ohio has rental properties in all forms, from luxury high-rise apartments in the city to single-family homes in rural areas. There’s something to fit every renter’s taste in Ohio. While Ohio’s rent prices are relatively affordable, you can still save considerably by renting with a roommate.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out the average rent prices in five of the most popular cities to live in Ohio, including Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, and Youngstown.

How Much Is a One-Bedroom Apartment in Ohio?

As of August 2025, the median price of a one-bedroom apartment in Ohio is $887. However, that number varies depending on where you live, so let's look at median rents in some of Ohio’s top cities.

How Much Is a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Ohio?

As of August 2025, the median price of a two-bedroom apartment in Ohio is $1,141. However, as with all rental prices, location matters; so here is a look at median two-bedroom prices in some of Ohio's top cities.

How Much Is Housing in Ohio?

Not renting? Houses are also generally more affordable in Ohio than in many parts of the country. For the state as a whole, the current median home value is $197,000. Columbus has the highest home value for a major city in Ohio at $220,100.

Whether you rent or pay a monthly mortgage, your housing costs will be one of your highest living expenses. It’s a good idea to determine how high they can be before you move by building a budget around your anticipated housing costs in Ohio.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Ohio?

To determine how much you can afford for rent, we use the standard budgeting rule that says rent should not account for more than 30% of your gross income. At an average rate of $1,634 per month for rent in Ohio, you would need to earn $64,360, or approximately $31.42 an hour, to comfortably afford an apartment in Ohio.

MIT uses a more complex living wage calculation to arrive at a very similar estimate: according to their research, the living wage in Ohio for a single adult without children is $20.38 an hour, or around $42,391 to cover basic necessities (food, shelter, health care, etc.) and remain above the poverty line.

Moreover, if you consider the U.S. Census Bureau data, the median income in Ohio is quite a bit higher than that minimum at $67,769 per year, or $32.58 an hour. That shows a healthy median salary if you live in Ohio, even if it is lower than the U.S. median household income of $80,610 a year, or $38.75 an hour.

How Much Is Transportation in Ohio?

Getting around in Ohio can be costly, with average annual transportation costs of $9,887 for a single individual, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. A family of four living in Ohio with two working adults and two children can anticipate paying around $16,584 in transportation costs annually.

There’s plenty of public transportation in Ohio, particularly if you live in a major city. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) covers different public transit systems across the state.

However, if you prefer to get around using a personal vehicle, you can get a better idea of the costs associated with having your vehicle by looking at the average gas prices in the major cities in Ohio.

• Cincinnati: $3.20/gallon
• Columbus: $3.10/gallon
• Dayton: $3.08/gallon
• Cleveland: $3.16/gallon
• Youngstown: $3.08/gallon

How Much Are Groceries in Ohio?

The average single Ohio resident spends around $4,215 annually on food, roughly $351.25 per month. For a family of four with two working adults and two children, these costs nearly triple to $12,354 annually, approximately $1,029.50 per month.

These figures are associated with home-prepared food from the local Kroger, North Market, or Jungle Jim’s. It’s also good to budget for additional food costs if you are anything short of a mastermind in the kitchen.

With so many delicious restaurants and iconic Ohio foods, it’s hard to resist a few meals outside your kitchen. Don’t forget to account for eating out in your budget so you can try out the famous buckeyes, Melrose apples, and Barberton chicken.

To get a better idea of how to budget, here’s a look at some of the average costs for a three-course meal for two people in a midrange restaurant across Ohio.

• Cincinnati: $60/meal
• Columbus: $80/meal
• Dayton: $60/meal
• Cleveland: $55/meal
• Youngstown: $58/meal

How Much Is Child Care in Ohio?

Like any other city, child care is a significant expense in Ohio. Expect to spend an average of $13,622 for the annual cost of one child at daycare. If you have two children, you should expect to spend an average of $25,562 a year.

Keep in mind that your daycare costs will vary depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in. Trendy downtown areas with a daycare shortage will have more expensive daycare costs. If you live in the suburbs with more options, you'll probably trim down your costs. You can also get creative and work from home or trade hours with another parent or your partner to save on daycare altogether.

How Much Is Healthcare in Ohio?

A single adult without children will pay around $3,454 for medical care in a single year, while a family of four with two working adults and two children can expect to pay $9,325 for healthcare.

Check out the federal healthcare marketplace to see what coverage is available in Ohio before moving. If your move happens any other time of the year outside of enrollment periods, which typically fall in November, you can report your move to ensure you qualify for out-of-state coverage.

You still might be able to stay on your parents’ policy if you’re under the age of 26, even if you’re moving out of state. Check with your current provider to see which doctors are in network in your new location.

How Much Are Utilities in Ohio?

Depending on which Ohio city you live in, the cost of utilities can vary. In Columbus, where the cost of living is higher than the statewide average, the cost for basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) in a 915-square-foot apartment comes out to $271.24 per month. Internet and a mobile phone plan add another $144.42 to your monthly utility bill on average.

In Youngstown, basic utilities run at $237.72 per month, and mobile and Internet plans add $150.82 to your monthly bill. Winters in Ohio can be intense, so expect higher heating bills in colder months.

Ohio Fitness and Entertainment

Ohio delivers plenty of entertainment and fitness options that won’t break your budget.

Fitness

Ohio is a midwestern state known for its windy, snowy, and freezing winters. The colder months can make outdoor exercise challenging to keep up year-round. To maintain your fitness, you might want to consider a gym membership.

Thankfully, the average cost of a monthly fitness club membership in Ohio’s most popular cities is relatively low.

• Cincinnati: $32.23/month
• Columbus: $46.25/month
• Dayton: $33.34/month
• Cleveland: $33/month
• Youngstown: $60/month

Ohio has several free outdoor activities when weather permits, including canoeing, rock climbing, and hiking. Of course, you’ll need to make adjustments to your wardrobe if you plan to get outdoors year-round, which also comes at an additional cost.

National and State Parks in Ohio

Ohio is home to 10 national parks and historic sites, with the most popular being:

• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

In addition to national parks, Ohio also has 75 state parks with endless outdoor adventures. Some of the most popular state parks include:

• Delaware State Park
• Hocking Hills State Park
• Tar Hollow State Park
• Mount Gilead State Park
• Caesar Creek State Park

Museums

If you’re looking for great family-fun entertainment that is available all year round, you’ll also want to check out some of the countless museums in Ohio. Some of the state’s most famous museums include:

• National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
• Toledo Museum of Art
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• The Cleveland Museum of Art
• Center of Science and Industry

How Much Are Taxes in Ohio?

Ohio has a progressive state income tax. The state sales tax is relatively low, but the municipalities charge additional rates. The current state sales tax rate is 5.75%, reaching up to 8% in some areas of the state.

Ohio’s Job Market

Ohio’s economy is powered by healthcare, manufacturing, tech, and education. With big-name employers like the Cleveland Clinic, Procter and Gamble, and Honda, the job market stays solid. Bonus: Unemployment is consistently below the national average.

Find Your Next Apartment in Ohio

Ohio is affordable, full of personality, and packed with places to live that won’t crush your savings. If that sounds like your kind of move, take the Apartment List quiz to get matched with a place in Ohio that fits your budget and your life. With us, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

FAQs: What to Know About the Cost of Living in Ohio 2025

How expensive is an apartment in Ohio?

The current average rent in Ohio is around $1,634 a month across bedrooms of all sizes. For the overall cost of living, Ohio is the 14th-cheapest state in the country.

What is the cheapest rent in Ohio?

A one-bedroom apartment in Youngstown, Ohio, is the cheapest rent in Ohio at $722 per month according to 2025 data.

How expensive is it to live in Ohio?

Living in Ohio is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other popular states across the country. In Columbus, Ohio, rent averages $1,445 for a one-bedroom apartment. Transportation costs in Ohio amount to $9,887 a year for one individual. Food costs $4,215 a year on average for a single resident without children in Ohio.

How far is Ohio from New York?

Ohio is 535 miles away from New York. It takes approximately nine hours to get to New York from Ohio by car and up to two hours by direct plane.

How far is Ohio from Texas?

Ohio is 1,287 miles away from Texas. It takes 19 hours to get to Texas from Ohio by car, and up to four hours by direct plane.

How far is Ohio from Michigan?

Ohio is 367 miles away from central Michigan, but only 195 miles from Detroit. It takes 2.5 hours to drive to Detroit from Ohio, and about an hour by direct plane.

What is the population of Ohio?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Ohio is 11,799,448. It is the seventh-most populated state in the country.

What is a good salary in Ohio?

We use a standard budgeting rule that says rent should not be more than 30% of your gross income. With an average monthly rent of $1,634 for the state of Ohio, that means you would need to earn around $65,360 annually, or $31.42 an hour, to live comfortably in Ohio. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is actually $67,769 per year, or $32.58 an hour.