Cost of living in Ohio

Everyday prices in Ohio run 7.2% below the US average, the 17th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.

7% cheaperEveryday prices¹17th lowest of 51
$284,000Typical home^2,3$1,561/mo mortgage
$1,190/mo2-bed rent⁴Utilities included
$123,629$150K in New York¹Buys the same life in Ohio

Ohio cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.^1,2,4

Columbus5% cheaper than average
Home
$374,950
Mortgage
$2,061/mo
2-bed rent
$1,528
See Columbus

Ohio next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.^1,4,2,3

OhioUnited StatesNew York metro

Everyday prices
7% cheaper than averageUS average · New York metro 13% pricier
Housing, rent included
27% cheaper than averageUS average · New York metro 49% pricier
2-bedroom rent$1,190/mo
24% less than the USUS $1,563 · New York metro $1,997
Typical home for sale$284,000
32% less than the USUS $419,250 · New York metro $742,000Mortgage $1,561/mo, US $2,304, New York metro $4,078. 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32%.

How affordable is Ohio?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.⁶

$85,150

Typical household incomeA year · 30th highest of 51

17%

Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,190/mo) against median income ($85,150). 8th lowest of 51.

3.3

Years of income to buy a home$284,000 median listing against $85,150 income. 2nd lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Ohio?

11,926 more people moved to Ohio from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

YearLeftArrivedNet moves
2019-20-23,146
2020-21-32,482
2021-22-6,882
2022-23+1,045
2023-24-1,339
2024-25+11,926

Where Americans are moving⁵

Metro areas in Ohio

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.^1,4,2

Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier

Ohio next to its neighbors

The states that border Ohio, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.^1,4,2

9West Virginia11% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$909
Typical home
$259,997
Net moves
+6,408
12Kentucky10% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$1,089
Typical home
$307,775
Net moves
+7,269
17OhioThis state7% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$1,190
Typical home
$284,000
Net moves
+11,926
18Indiana7% cheaper than average
2-bed rent
$1,218
Typical home
$299,000
Net moves
+12,197

Show 2 more

Ohio by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Ohio next to New York and the US

Place	Price level	Housing	Typical home	Monthly payment	2-bedroom rent
Ohio	92.8	73.0	$284,000	$1,561	$1,190
United States	100.0	100.0	$419,250	$2,304	$1,563
New York metro	112.6	148.6	$742,000	$4,078	$1,997

Ohio cities we cover

City	Typical home	Monthly payment	2-bedroom rent	Price level
Columbus	$374,950	$2,061	$1,528	95.5

Metro areas in Ohio

Metro	Price level	2-bedroom rent	Typical home
Toledo, OH	91.5	$1,094	$219,675
Akron, OH	93.4	$1,141	$233,750
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	95.4	$1,316	$347,000
Columbus, OH	95.5	$1,528	$374,950

Ohio next to its neighbors

State	Price level	2-bedroom rent	Typical home	Net moves from other states
Ohio	92.8	$1,190	$284,000	+11,926
Indiana	93.3	$1,218	$299,000	+12,197
Kentucky	90.2	$1,089	$307,775	+7,269
Michigan	96.2	$1,280	$299,900	+1,796
Pennsylvania	97.6	$1,353	$309,000	-2,936
West Virginia	89.5	$909	$259,997	+6,408

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)	Net moves from other states
2019-20	-23,146
2020-21	-32,482
2021-22	-6,882
2022-23	+1,045
2023-24	-1,339
2024-25	+11,926

States with a similar cost of living to Ohio

Keep comparing

Ohio cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Ohio?

Everyday prices in Ohio run 7.2% below the US average, the 17th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 73.0 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $284,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,561 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,190 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $123,629 in Ohio.

Is Ohio cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Ohio's regional price parity is 92.8, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 7.2% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Ohio?

The median listed home in Ohio is $284,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 3rd lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,561 a month.

How much is rent in Ohio?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Ohio is $1,190 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Ohio equals $150,000 in New York?

About $123,629, using BEA regional price parities for Ohio (92.8) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Ohio?

11,926 more people moved to Ohio from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Ohio cities do you cover?

Columbus ($374,950). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers

1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.

Sources for this page