10 Cheapest Places to Live in Ohio
- Youngstown
- Niles
- Steubenville
- Ashtabula
- Sandusky
- Canton
- Eastlake
- Kettering
- New Franklin
- Mentor
1. Youngstown
Median Home Price: $55,800
Average Rent (one bedroom): $640
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 20.5% lower than the Ohio State average
The cheapest place to live in Ohio is Youngstown, thanks to its incredibly low housing costs. Youngstown is also 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.
The median home price is around 75% lower than the amount in the rest of the state, while the average rent is 55% lower than the statewide average. So, Youngstown is ideal if you’re looking for a mix of amenities and affordability.
2. Niles
Median Home Price: $116,500
Average Rent (one bedroom): $720
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 15.7% lower than the Ohio State average
Niles is also one of the cheapest places to live in Ohio, with a median home price of $116,500 and an average rent of only $720. Niles is a quiet suburb of Youngstown with plenty of parks, nature preserves, and easy access to nearby cities. The median home price is 59% 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. Steubenville
Median Home Price: $118,400
Average Rent (one bedroom): $750
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 13.4% lower than the Ohio State average
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 40% lower than the rest of Ohio.
4. Ashtabula
Median Home Price: $136,500
Average Rent (one bedroom): $750
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 11.5% lower than the Ohio State average
The fourth cheapest place to live in Ohio is Ashtabula, thanks to its very affordable median home price of just $136,500 and an average rent of $750. This makes it the cheapest city in Ohio to rent or buy a home. Located directly on the banks of Lake Eerie, Ashtabula is home to a satellite campus of Kent State University. The median home price is 66% 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.
5. Sandusky
Median Home Price: $128,000
Average Rent (one bedroom): $820
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 11.4% lower than the Ohio State average
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.
6. Canton
Median Home Price: $151,000
Average Rent (one bedroom): $850
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 9.3% lower than the Ohio State average
Canton is also one of the most affordable cities in Ohio, with a median home price of $151,000 and an average rent of only $850. With a population of 70,872, it’s one of the largest cities in Ohio and the principal city in the Canton-Massillon metro area, which includes around 401,574 people. Canton is also one of the most dangerous cities in Ohio. However, it’s also a very affordable place to live, with a median home price that is 58% lower than the rest of the state and an average rent that is 43% lower.
7. Eastlake
Median Home Price: $183,200
Average Rent (one bedroom): $875
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 4.3% lower than the Ohio State average
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 25% lower than the amount in the rest of Ohio.
8. Kettering
Median Home Price: $220,800
Average Rent (one bedroom): $930
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 3.6% lower than the Ohio State average
Kettering is also one of the cheapest cities in Ohio. A suburb of Dayton, Kettering has a population of 57,850 and a median household income of $66,500. The local real estate market is also affordable, with rents averaging $930 and the median sales price for homes being only $220,800. Kettering is also known for being one of the best places to live near Dayton, Ohio as it has great schools and a low crime rate.
9. New Franklin
Median Home Price: $208,000
Average Rent (one bedroom): $1,025
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 3.1% lower than the Ohio State average
New Franklin is also one of the the cheapest cities in Ohio. The median home price in New Franklin is $208,000. The average rent is also $1,025, which is lower than the statewide average. However, the median household income is $80,357, which is 25% higher than the rest of the state, giving New Franklin the perfect balance of affordability and economic opportunity, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Ohio.
10. Mentor
Median Home Price: $253,000
Average Rent (one bedroom): $900
Cost of Living Compared to State Average: 2.5% lower than the Ohio State average
Mentor is another one of the most affordable places to live in Ohio based on the median home price and rent compared to the median household income. Mentor 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 $253,000, and the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $900, which is about 15.4% lower than the statewide average. 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.
Cheapest Places to Live in Ohio Methodology
This ranking of the cheapest places to live in Ohio 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 1, 2023, through January 1, 2024.