| Index | Berea | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 93 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Berea 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 Berea cost of living index is 92, which is 8% 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.
The cost of living in Berea aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Berea residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is Berea affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Berea, the median home price is 19.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 10.5% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Berea boasting a median household income of $90,356, 11.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Berea, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.75%, and the income tax rates commence at 2.76%.
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 Berea, the groceries index is 4.6% lower than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Berea, the housing index comes in at 16.8% lower than the national average.
The Berea cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $105,768 | $8,814 | $2,468 | $3,173 |
| Renters | $55,398 | $4,617 | $1,293 | $1,662 |
| 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. |
| East Cleveland, OH | 17,563 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Linndale, OH | 346 | 81 | 18.5% |
| Kinsman Center, OH | 674 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Cleveland, OH | 391,340 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Eaton Estates, OH | 1,234 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Berea, OH | 19,143 | 92 | 8.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chowchilla, CA | 19,143 | 114 | 14.4% |
| Merrifield, VA | 19,142 | 154 | 54.3% |
| Forest Park, OH | 19,147 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Augusta, ME | 19,148 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Twinsburg, OH | 19,149 | 103 | 3.4% |
| Berea, OH | 19,143 | 92 | 8.2% |
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