| Index | Dover | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 93 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Dover 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 Dover 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.
In Dover, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Dover will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Dover an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Dover, the median home price is 23.1% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Dover come in at $88,425, which is 8.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Dover, the transportation index is 3% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Dover, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5.75%, and income tax rates start at 2.76%.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Dover, the housing index is 19.3% lower than the national average.
The Dover 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 | $104,895 | $8,741 | $2,447 | $3,147 |
| Renters | $59,537 | $4,961 | $1,389 | $1,786 |
| 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. |
| Sandyville, OH | 133 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Fresno, OH | 191 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Dundee, OH | 668 | 81 | 18.8% |
| Leesville, OH | 350 | 81 | 18.5% |
| Uhrichsville, OH | 5,483 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Dover, OH | 13,219 | 92 | 8.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Joppatowne, MD | 13,217 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Geneva, NY | 13,221 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Wickliffe, OH | 13,221 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Wellington North, ON | 13,212 | n/a | |
| El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County), CA | 13,228 | 136 | 35.8% |
| Dover, OH | 13,219 | 92 | 8.5% |