| Index | Lima | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 48 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 93 | 100 |

The cost of living in Lima affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Lima is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Lima housing costs are 51.7% 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, Lima residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 20 residents in Lima to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 30% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 70% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Lima 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 Lima, the median home price is 61.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 28.5% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Lima boasting a median household income of $52,013, 36% 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.
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 Lima, the utilities index registers 2.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Lima, the healthcare costs are 3.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Lima shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $69,378 | $5,782 | $1,619 | $2,082 |
| Renters | $40,668 | $3,389 | $949 | $1,220 |
| 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. |
| Alger, OH | 906 | 79 | 21.4% |
| St. Johns, OH | 183 | 79 | 21.3% |
| Uniopolis, OH | 324 | 80 | 20.3% |
| Vaughnsville, OH | 279 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Cairo, OH | 703 | 84 | 16.4% |
| Lima, OH | 38,026 | 82 | 18.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lake Worth, FL | 38,026 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Waxahachie, TX | 38,021 | 103 | 2.6% |
| Winter Springs, FL | 38,040 | 116 | 16.1% |
| Greenfield, WI | 38,049 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Addison, IL | 38,050 | 110 | 10.3% |
| Lima, OH | 38,026 | 82 | 18.4% |