A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Oberlin Ohio National
Cost of living9392100
Goods & Services92100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9598100
Housing8573100
Transportation98100100
Utilities10399100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Oberlin is 1% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Oberlin is 7% lower than the national average
  • Oberlin housing is 15% 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

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Compare Oberlin, OH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,703$5,475$1,533$1,971
      Renters$31,586$2,632$737$948
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Oberlin, OH, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Oberlin homeowners, is $65,703. This would allow for a maximum of $1,533 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $31,586 which would result in a maximum of $737 to be spent on rental 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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.67$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $35.31$45.5622.5%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.45$1.2813.0%
      Movie $11.60$12.134.4%
      Bowling $18.27$18.001.5%

      Groceries

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.46$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.38$4.939.1%
      Pizza $9.98$12.0917.4%
      Beer $10.51$10.411.0%

      Health Care

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $103.58$125.6817.6%
      Doctor $119.67$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $109.73$113.293.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.73$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $503.65$468.607.5%

      Housing

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $161,300.00$184,700.0012.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,788.16$2,346.6923.8%
      Apartment Rent $750.00$949.0021.0%

      Transportation

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $57.76$59.923.6%

      Utilities

      Item Oberlin National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $205.88$193.996.1%
      Phone $186.78$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Beulah Beach, OH12963.8%
      Eaton Estates, OH1,2098317.0%
      New London, OH2,4768316.8%
      Lorain, OH63,8328415.5%
      Kipton, OH1968514.6%
      Oberlin, OH8,252937.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kitimat, BC8,251n/a 
      Ahuimanu, HI8,25419392.8%
      Grandview Heights, OH8,25412726.9%
      Castle Shannon, PA8,249955.4%
      Oak Hill, WV8,2498515.3%
      Oberlin, OH8,252937.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.