Methodology for Selecting Cheapest Places to Live in Ohio
This list was compiled based on the median household income ratio to housing prices. This considers the average buying power of the typical resident compared to the cost of living in the city. As a result, cities with higher median home prices may appear higher on the list if the median household income is also substantially higher because the cost of living will be more affordable based on their income.
Median home prices are based on home sales in each city from January 2023 through September 2023.
Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Ohio
- New Franklin
- Niles
- Ashtabula
- Sandusky
- Powell
- Mentor
- Steubenville
- Youngstown
- Canton
- Eastlake
1. New Franklin
- Median home price: $222,500
- Median household income: $80,357
- Average rent: $1,080
New Franklin is the cheapest place to live in Ohio based on the median home price and rent compared to the median household income. The median home price is $222,500, which is 14% lower than the amount in the rest of the state. The average rent is also $1080, which is 11.5% lower than the statewide average. However, the median household income is $80,357, which is 25% higher than the rest of the state. So, New Franklin offers the perfect balance of affordability and economic opportunity, making it the most affordable place to live in Ohio.
2. Niles
- Median home price: $128,000
- Median household income: $45,590
- Average rent: $778
Niles is also one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio, with a median home price of $128,000 and an average rent of only $778. Niles is a quiet suburb of Youngstown with plenty of parks, nature preserves, and easy access to nearby cities. The median home price is 66% lower than the rest of Ohio, and the average rent is 43% lower than the average rent in Ohio. Although the median household income is lower, it’s still high enough to make Niles one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio.
3. Ashtabula
- Median home price: $115,000
- Median household income: $36,012
- Average rent: $700
Ashtabula is another one of the most affordable cities in Ohio, with a median home price of just $115,000 and an average rent of about $700. Located directly on the banks of Lake Eerie, Ashtabula is home to a satellite campus of Kent State University. The median home price is 76% lower than the amount in the rest of the state, and the average rent is also about 54% lower. The median household income is also significantly lower as well, but with home prices that low, you can’t go wrong.
4. Sandusky
- Median home price: $135,000
- Median household income: $42,140
- Average rent: $725
Sandusky is also one of the cheapest cities to live in Ohio. Situated on Lake Eerie, Sandusky is known for being one of the country’s best coastal small towns due to its affordable cost of living and many attractions. It’s home to Cedar Point Amusement Park, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, and the Pipe Creek Wilderness Area. However, it’s very affordable for all the value it offers, and the median home price is 62% lower than the median in the state, while the average rent price is 50% lower.
5. Powell
- Median home price: $550,000
- Median household income: $168,046
- Average rent: $1612
Powell is another affordable place to live in Ohio due to its reasonable home prices and high median income. Powell is a city in the northern reaches of the Columbus metropolitan area. It ranks among the wealthiest cities in Ohio, with a median household income of $168,046. It’s also located in Delaware County, the 35th wealthiest county in the country. However, for such a wealthy area, the housing prices are very reasonable, with a median listing price of $550,000 and an average rent of $1612. So, Powell is the most affordable area for those looking for an affluent area offering a high value for your money.
6. Mentor
- Median home price: $260,000
- Median household income: $79,261
- Average rent: $1148
Mentor is another one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio and offers a good balance of affordability and economic prosperity. It’s a small city outside of Cleveland, not far from the coast of Lake Eerie. The median home price is $260,000, which is about 1.2% higher than the statewide median. In comparison, the average rent is about 5.4% lower. However, the median household income is $79,261, which is 25% higher than the rest of the state. So, while the housing prices in Mentor are roughly the same as the rest of the state, the buying power of the standard resident is much higher.
7. Steubenville
- Median home price: $140,000
- Median household income: $39,432
- Average rent: $550
Another one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio is Steubenville, a city near the West Virginia border along the Ohio River. Steubenville is known for its many parks and green spaces, as well as the historic Fort Steuben, a reconstructed military fort that is now used for tours and summer concerts. Steubenville is also very affordable, with a median home price that is 58% lower than the rest of the state and an average rent that is 75% lower than the rest of Ohio.
8. Youngstown
- Median home price: $115,000
- Median household income: $31,020
- Average rent: $915
Youngstown is one of the larger cities on this list, with a population of 60,068. It’s also the principal city in the Youngstown-Warren metro area, which has a total population of 430,591 people. However, it’s also one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio as well. The median home price is 76% lower than the amount in the rest of the state, while the average rent is 28% lower than the statewide average. So, Youngstown is ideal if you’re looking for a mix of amenities and affordability.
9. Canton
- Median home price: $130,000
- Median household income: $34,611
- Average rent: $775
Canton is also one of the cheapest cities in Ohio, with a median home price of $130,000 and an average rent of only $775. With a population of 70,872, it’s the eighth-largest city in Ohio and the principal city in the Canton-Massillon metro area, which includes around 401,574 people. But it’s also very affordable, and the median home price is 65% lower than the rest of the state, and the average rent is 43% lower.
10. Eastlake
- Median home price: $211,100
- Median household income: $55,931
- Average rent: $993
Another cheap place to live in Ohio is Eastlake, a city northeast of Cleveland on the banks of Lake Eerie. Situated near the Lake and Chagrin River State Park, Eastlake offers natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation. It’s also very affordable, with a median home price and average rent that are both roughly 20% lower than the amount in the rest of Ohio.