| Index | Ashtabula | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 49 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 93 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Ashtabula can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Ashtabula cost of living index is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Ashtabula stands out by reporting housing costs that are 51.4% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Ashtabula can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
Is Ashtabula an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Ashtabula is 60.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 29.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Ashtabula has a median household income of $51,068, which is 37.2% lower than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Ashtabula, the utilities index registers 4% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Ashtabula, the groceries index is 1% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The Ashtabula cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $74,974 | $6,248 | $1,749 | $2,249 |
| Renters | $28,230 | $2,353 | $659 | $847 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH | 1,003 | 84 | 16.1% |
| Edgewood, OH | 4,493 | 84 | 15.9% |
| Conneaut, OH | 12,804 | 86 | 14.2% |
| Geneva, OH | 6,087 | 87 | 12.8% |
| North Madison, OH | 8,964 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Ashtabula, OH | 18,701 | 82 | 17.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Somerset, MA | 18,700 | 125 | 24.7% |
| Trenton, MI | 18,684 | 95 | 5.4% |
| St. Marys, GA | 18,720 | 108 | 7.8% |
| North Massapequa, NY | 18,681 | 149 | 48.8% |
| Schofield Barracks, HI | 18,724 | 175 | 75.1% |
| Ashtabula, OH | 18,701 | 82 | 17.6% |