| Index | Wooster | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 93 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Wooster allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Wooster stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Wooster aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Wooster residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is Wooster affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Wooster, for instance, where the median home price falls 16.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 19% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Wooster flaunting a median household income of $77,188, 5.1% lower than the national norm.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Wooster comes in at 6% 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 Wooster, the housing index comes in at 17.4% 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 Wooster starts at 5.75% and the income tax rates start at 2.76%.
The cost of living data for Wooster 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 | $100,210 | $8,351 | $2,338 | $3,007 |
| Renters | $57,933 | $4,828 | $1,352 | $1,738 |
| 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. |
| Holmesville, OH | 298 | 84 | 15.7% |
| Burbank, OH | 263 | 85 | 15.5% |
| Shreve, OH | 1,753 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Sterling, OH | 354 | 84 | 15.8% |
| West Salem, OH | 1,583 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Wooster, OH | 27,464 | 92 | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Winona, MN | 27,459 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Sanger, CA | 27,475 | 120 | 20.0% |
| Colleyville, TX | 27,477 | 153 | 53.4% |
| King, ON | 27,487 | n/a | |
| Batavia, IL | 27,425 | 117 | 17.2% |
| Wooster, OH | 27,464 | 92 | 7.9% |
Here are the best places to live in Ohio
Check out the 10 safest cities in Ohio
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Ohio
See the best places to live in Wooster