Cost of Living in Bedford, OH

Population 12,960 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

57
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bedford is a smaller Ohio community of around 13000 residents, where median household incomes of $56,563 and housing costs ($125,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Bedford sits roughly 10 miles southeast of Cleveland. Median home values run roughly 33% higher than Cleveland's $94,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 41
Rent 81

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bedford

The median home value in Bedford is $124,900 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,061/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,563/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 58.9°F and lows of 45.8°F. Overall, Bedford has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$124,900
59% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$150,812
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,061/mo
19% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,229/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$686
1 BR
$748
2 BR
$929
3 BR
$1,199
4 BR
$1,374
Owner-occupied 56.4%
Renter-occupied 43.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,061
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,675/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.7 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.3%
Carpooled
3.9%
Public transit
3.0%
Walked
1.8%
Work from home
8.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.2%
State rate 5.8%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$56,563
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,520
Unemployment Rate
7.6%
57% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor Force Participation
65.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 6.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 39.4
Female median age 46

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.9°F
Avg Low
45.8°F
Annual Precip
33.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353745576877818074635140
Low °F 242531415363686760493830
Precip" 1.761.532.353.103.512.843.663.452.943.242.922.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
32.1%
Good air days/yr
234
Max AQI recorded
276
PM2.5 days
83
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,168
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bedford, OH?

Bedford has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bedford, OH?

The median gross rent in Bedford is $1,061 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bedford?

The median home value in Bedford is $124,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bedford?

The median household income in Bedford is $56,563 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bedford, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bedford is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Bedford, OH affordable?

Yes, Bedford is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 57 — about 43% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bedford?

Bedford has average high temperatures of 58.9°F and average lows of 45.8°F. Annual precipitation is 33.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bedford at a Glance

Population
12,960
Median Income
$56,563
Home Value
$124,900
Median Rent
$1,061/mo
Unemployment
7.6%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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