Best Affordable Places to Live in Ohio in 2025
(Last Updated – 03/2025)
With its rolling hills and midwestern charm, Ohio is a great place to live and raise a family. The Buckeye State boasts several big cities, numerous colleges and universities, and two major amusement parks (Cedar Point and Kings Island). The area is bordered by Lake Erie in the north and the Ohio River in the south, and has a beautiful national park called Cuyahoga Valley. Ohio winters admittedly can be brutal, but the state offers the best of all four seasons.
More importantly, Ohio is an affordable place to live, with a cost of living 12% below the national average. Property taxes are slightly higher than the national average.
In short, Ohio is a wonderful place to build a life. But where exactly should you settle down? Here are the best places to live in Ohio.
Best Places to Live in Ohio
Ohio offers a number of popular and affordable towns and cities to live in. If you’re trying to save on rent, consider locations like Youngstown and Van Wert. Sports fans will be drawn to Cincinnati and Cleveland, while thrill junkies will gravitate to the rollercoasters in Mason and Sandusky. Dayton is another sweet spot — just the right size and affordable, with plenty to do.
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Best Affordable Places to Live in Ohio
Ohio is known for its low cost of living, thanks to affordable housing in its rural and urban areas. Cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland attract residents because of their shopping, sports teams, restaurants, and schools. But the smaller, lesser-known towns, such as the ones below, are the most affordable to live in.
1. Youngstown
Photo credit: iStock/Sean Pavone
Youngstown is a vibrant and inexpensive place to live in Ohio. The city is close enough to the Pennsylvania border that you could even live here and work there. Youngstown is regularly named one of the best places to live in Ohio, with a thriving downtown scene and plenty of wide open spaces and farm land. Youngstown has one of the lowest home price-to-income ratios of any town on our list, meaning homes are relatively affordable compared to the typical income. Plus, there are first-time homebuyer programs in Ohio that may help those who are house hunting.
Population: 59,108
Median Household Income: $34,746
Cost of Living: 82% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $900
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 1.8
2. Van Wert
Photo credit: Flickr/David Wilson , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License
This small town in northwest Ohio has been undergoing a major downtown revitalization. Now is a great time to purchase a home in Van Wert — before the town becomes an even more desirable place to live. Major employers in the area include Central Insurance, Cooper Farms, and Danfoss. At just $585 a month, Van Wert has one of the lowest average rent prices in Ohio. Purchasing a house in Van Wert is also affordable.
Population: 11,040
Median Household Income: $53,632
Cost of Living: 80% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $585
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.1
3. Springfield
Photo credit: www.springfieldohio.gov
Springfield is less than 30 miles from the city of Dayton, giving you the best of both worlds: Springfield’s affordable housing market and Dayton’s breweries, restaurants, museums, and theaters. Yellow Springs, an artsy suburb of Dayton, is only 20 minutes away.
Population: 58,082
Median Household Income: $45,883
Cost of Living: 83% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,095
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.8
Best Places to Live in Ohio for Families
Families moving to Ohio will want to consider several factors when choosing a home: affordability, schools, and things to do chief among them. Here are three of the best places to live in Ohio for families:
1. Mason
Photo credit: Wikipedia/Nyttend
A suburb of Cincinnati, Mason is just a short drive away from the downtown area, where you can catch professional baseball and football games. Cincinnati’s revitalized Over-the-Rhine area offers plenty of restaurants, activities, and parks, and Mason itself is home to many great places for families to visit. It’s also just a few miles from Kings Island, a premier amusement park in Ohio.
Population: 35,660
Median Household Income: $124,407
Cost of Living: 94% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $2,200
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.8
2. Oakwood
Source: Flickr /Blake Bolinger
A quiet, walkable suburb of Dayton, the town is known for its stunning older homes. Families flock to it in part because it’s a top-rated school district in the Dayton area. The inventory of homes for sale here is quite limited. Going through the mortgage preapproval process could help you move quickly when you find a property you like.
Population: 9,378
Median Household Income: $158,968
Cost of Living: 88% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,031
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 1.3
3. Sandusky
Photo credit: iStock/Big Joe
Sandusky is great for families who like outdoor adventures. Famously, the city is home to Cedar Point, one of the world’s biggest amusement parks, and it also has a water park. Plus, Sandusky is right on Lake Erie, so there are endless water activities for families to enjoy. Prospective buyers may want to explore the different types of mortgage loans available to find the best option for their circumstances.
Population: 24,241
Median Household Income: $47,827
Cost of Living: 88% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,249
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.9
Best Places to Live in Ohio for Young Adults
Those looking for a place to live in Ohio with a more active social scene and better job opportunities will likely want to stick with the bigger cities. However, young adults may want to explore the suburbs, too, to see if they can save on housing costs. These are some of the best places to live in Ohio for young adults.
1. Dayton
Photo credit: iStock/Nicholas Smith
It’s known as the birthplace of aviation (the Wright Brothers were born here), and Dayton is still flying high. Recent college grads can look for jobs at the Air Force base or with major employers like Reynolds & Reynolds. The social scene is active, too, especially in the downtown Oregon District. Young adults are clearly drawn to Dayton: The city’s median age is 33.6. Consider house-hunting in affordable Dayton suburbs, including Kettering, Fairborn, and Miamisburg.
Population: 135,512
Median Household Income: $43,454
Cost of Living: 88% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $978
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.3
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2. Columbus
Photo credit: iStock/Sean Pavone
The capital of Ohio is known for its college football team and thriving downtown, with great restaurants, museums, music venues, and more. For graduates of Ohio State University, Columbus can be a great place to find a job — employers include JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, and Honda — and build a life. Many younger people do just that: The city’s median age is 33.4.
Population: 913,175
Median Household Income: $65,327
Cost of Living: 97% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,500
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.7
3. Cleveland
Photo credit: iStock/Ralph Navarro
This bustling city has three major sports teams, sits right on Lake Erie, and is close to a beautiful national park with plenty of hiking and other activities. The downtown area offers great nightlife options for young adults, and the Cleveland Clinic is a major medical employer in the city. Affordable suburbs like Berea and Bedford may give you even more for your money, making them some of the best places to live in Cleveland, Ohio.
Population: 632,656
Median Household Income: $39,187
Cost of Living: 97% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,200
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.8
💡 Quick Tip: If you refinance your mortgage and shorten your loan term, you could save a substantial amount in interest over the lifetime of the loan.
Best Places to Live in Ohio for Retirees
1. Centerville
Source: centervilleohio.gov
A quiet suburb of Dayton, Centerville is a great place for retirees to live. Nearly a third of the population is 65 or older, and the city has plenty of restaurants and stores. Those who like to travel will appreciate Centerville’s close distance to the airport (just a 30-minute drive).
Population: 25,754
Median Household Income: $81,500
Cost of Living: 96% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,370
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 1.8
2. Bellefontaine
Source: Flickr/David Wilson , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License
Bellefontaine (pronounced “bell fountain”) is close to Indian Lake, a 5,100-acre lake with beaches and lots of recreational activities. Retirees can look for lakefront property or simply visit the lake for boating, jet skiing, or fishing. Best of all, housing costs in Bellefontaine are on the lower end compared to other top Ohio cities for retirees.
If you’re house hunting here, jumbo mortgage loans may be one option to explore.
Population: 14,073
Median Household Income: $60,296
Cost of Living: 85% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,100
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.1
3. Avon Lake
Source: Wikipedia/Robert Chriss, CCreative Commons, ShareAlike 3.0
A charming suburb of Cleveland, Avon Lake is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie. Retirees will enjoy the quiet suburban atmosphere, with its access to shopping and restaurants, and close proximity to downtown Cleveland.
Population: 25,942
Median Household Income: $110,174
Cost of Living: 97% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,794
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.5
Best Places to Live in Ohio Near the Water
Ohio doesn’t offer access to the ocean or mountains, but it borders one of the Great Lakes and has plenty of smaller lakes and rivers to explore. These are some of the top locations in the state to live near the water.
1. Sandusky
Photo credit: iStock/Big Joe
Located on the shore of Lake Erie, Sandusky is home to Cedar Point, the large and highly popular amusement park on a peninsula that juts out into the lake. That makes it one of the best places in Ohio to live near the water.
Population: 24,241
Median Household Income: $47,827
Cost of Living: 88% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,249
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.9
2. Cleveland
Photo credit: iStock/drnadig
Cleveland is a city built on the coast of Lake Erie. It’s also just north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Cuyahoga River. Paddling the river in a kayak or canoe is a fun way to enjoy this area.
Population: 362,656
Median Household Income: $39,187
Cost of Living: 97% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,200
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.8
3. Cincinnati
Photo credit: iStock/Sean Pavone
This vibrant city on the Ohio River offers stunning views of the water from the Great American Ballpark and Paycor Stadium. Spend an afternoon strolling along the river, or head to Eden Park for a breathtaking vantage point.
Population: 311,097
Median Household Income: $51,707
Cost of Living: 100% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,350
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.5
The Takeaway
If you’re thinking about moving to Ohio or relocating within the state, there are plenty of great locations to choose from, including the best places in Ohio for families, young adults, and retirees.
Before you settle down, be sure to investigate such factors as job prospects, entertainment, safety, schools, and commuting time. Fortunately, Ohio offers many affordable towns for those looking to purchase a home.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
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FAQ
What is the best city in Ohio 2025?
The best city in Ohio depends on your preferences. Sports fans will like Cincinnati and Cleveland, both of which have several professional athletic teams. Dayton is great for history buffs (the Wright Brothers are from the city), and Columbus has plenty to do as the capital of the state.
Where is the nicest place to live in Ohio?
Ohio has several nice places to live. If you’re looking for an urban vibe, you’ll appreciate cities like Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, and Columbus. If you prefer a smaller town, places like Youngstown and Sandusky offer plenty to do and can be quite affordable.
Is Ohio the most affordable state to live in?
While Ohio is an affordable place to live, it is not the most affordable. Currently, Arkansas has the lowest cost of living of any U.S. state.
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