A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
20%
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 Wooster Ohio National
Cost of living9192100
Goods & Services92100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9598100
Housing8073100
Transportation98100100
Utilities10399100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Wooster, OH

Understanding the cost of living in Wooster 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 Wooster cost of living index is 91, which is 9% 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.

The cost of living in Wooster closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Wooster can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Wooster Affordable?

Is Wooster an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Wooster is 20.3% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 19.3% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Wooster has a median household income of $52,366, which is 5.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Wooster?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Wooster, the transportation index is 2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Wooster, the groceries index registers 1.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Wooster cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Wooster is 1% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Wooster is 9% lower than the national average
  • Wooster housing is 20% 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 Wooster

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Compare Wooster, OH Cost of Living

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      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$67,543$5,629$1,576$2,026
      Renters$38,868$3,239$907$1,166
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Wooster, 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 Wooster homeowners, is $67,543. This would allow for a maximum of $1,576 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $38,868 which would result in a maximum of $907 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 Wooster 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 Wooster 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 Wooster 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 Wooster National avg. Difference
      Home Price $147,200.00$184,700.0020.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,788.16$2,346.6923.8%
      Apartment Rent $766.00$949.0019.3%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Wooster 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.
      Holmesville, OH2878415.8%
      Burbank, OH2568415.7%
      Shreve, OH1,7018515.1%
      Sterling, OH3428515.0%
      West Salem, OH1,5408614.5%
      Wooster, OH26,557918.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brownsburg, IN26,5601033.0%
      Garden City, MI26,565936.8%
      Daphne, AL26,5781022.4%
      Alvin, TX26,592972.9%
      West Islip, NY26,61414949.4%
      Wooster, OH26,557918.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.