Cost of Living in Ohio (OH)
Compare costs across 5 Ohio cities. From home services to salaries, see how OH stacks up against the national average.
5
Cities
87
Avg Cost Index
$39K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Ohio's average cost index is 87, which is below the national baseline of 100. Dayton is the most affordable tracked city in OH at index 82, while Columbus is the most expensive at index 92.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 10 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Ohio Highlights: Most affordable city: Dayton (index 82). Most expensive: Columbus (index 92). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 10 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
87/100
Ohio is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Dayton
Dayton has a cost index of 82.
Most expensive
Columbus
Columbus has a cost index of 92.
Income average
$39K
Average median household income across 5 tracked OH cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Ohio
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 906K | 92 | $54K | large |
| Cleveland | 373K | 86 | $31K | large |
| Cincinnati | 309K | 89 | $41K | large |
| Akron | 190K | 84 | $37K | mid |
| Dayton | 138K | 82 | $33K | mid |
Ohio State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Ohio.
State Income Tax
0-3.5%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
7.24%
5.75% state + 1.49% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.59%
~$4,770/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Ohio uses a progressive income tax at 0-3.5%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Dayton if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Ohio.
- Compare Columbus against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.