| Index | Upper Arlington | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 131 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 209 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Upper Arlington? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Upper Arlington stands at 131, making it 31% higher 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.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Upper Arlington may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Upper Arlington falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Upper Arlington cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 108.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Upper Arlington 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 Upper Arlington, the median home price is 143% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 28.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Upper Arlington boasting a median household income of $186,365, 129.1% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Upper Arlington, the utilities index stands at 2.7% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Upper Arlington starts at 5.75% and the income tax rates start at 2.76%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The cost of living data for Upper Arlington 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.
| 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 | $219,987 | $18,332 | $5,133 | $6,600 |
| Renters | $98,626 | $8,219 | $2,301 | $2,959 |
| 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. |
| Orient, OH | 136 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Lockbourne, OH | 165 | 84 | 15.8% |
| Urbancrest, OH | 1,188 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Whitehall, OH | 19,429 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Lincoln Village, OH | 9,792 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Upper Arlington, OH | 36,196 | 131 | 30.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gahanna, OH | 36,217 | 105 | 5.0% |
| Post Falls, ID | 36,171 | 111 | 10.6% |
| Gadsden, AL | 36,146 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Monroe, NC | 36,140 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Lebanon, TN | 36,126 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Upper Arlington, OH | 36,196 | 131 | 30.5% |
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