A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
55%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Fostoria Ohio National
Cost of living8289100
Groceries9997100
Health care9796100
Housing4574100
Transportation9696100
Utilities9396100
Lifestyle & Entertainment10095100
Household Items9997100
Education & Childcare9893100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Fostoria, OH

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Fostoria? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Fostoria stands at 82, making it 18% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Fostoria housing costs are 54.6% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Fostoria residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is Fostoria Affordable?

Is Fostoria 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 Fostoria, the median home price is 64.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 31.2% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Fostoria come in at $62,778, which is 22.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fostoria?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Fostoria, the utilities index registers at 6.9% 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 Fostoria, the housing index comes in at 54.6% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Fostoria, healthcare costs are 3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Fostoria cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fostoria is 8% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Fostoria is 18% lower than the national average
  • Fostoria housing is 55% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fostoria

See all the best places to live around Fostoria

Compare Fostoria, OH Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$73,283$6,107$1,710$2,199
      Renters$47,135$3,928$1,100$1,414
      The affordability of the housing market in Fostoria, OH as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Fostoria homeowners, the median income is $73,283. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,710 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $47,135. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,100 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kansas, OH53964.4%
      Fort Seneca, OH106972.6%
      Old Fort, OH2267822.4%
      Bairdstown, OH1047921.0%
      West Millgrove, OH1417921.2%
      Fostoria, OH13,4878218.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wetaskiwin, AB13,487n/a 
      Warrenville, IL13,49211111.5%
      La Grange Park, IL13,50112525.0%
      McPherson, KS13,501919.0%
      South Daytona, FL13,503990.8%
      Fostoria, OH13,4878218.2%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.