Cost of Living in Blue Ash, OH

Population 13,374 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

118
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Blue Ash is a smaller Ohio community of around 13000 residents, where median household incomes of $116,663 and housing costs ($366,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Blue Ash sits roughly 10 miles northeast of Cincinnati — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 70% higher than Cincinnati's $215,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 115

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

About the Cost of Living in Blue Ash

The median home value in Blue Ash is $365,700 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,511/month, 15% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $116,663/year is 56% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below 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 65.4°F and lows of 44.2°F. Overall, Blue Ash has a cost of living index of 118 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$365,700
20% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$441,603
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,511/mo
15% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,985/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2x
Favors renting
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 66.0%
Renter-occupied 34.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,511
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,125/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
22.0 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.4%
Carpooled
6.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
20.4%

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
$116,663
56% above avg
Per Capita Income
$65,150
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
65% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Labor Force Participation
68.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 38.2%
Graduate degree 28.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.3
Male median age 39.2
Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.4°F
Avg Low
44.2°F
Annual Precip
43.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414555677583878680685545
Low °F 242633435361656456443428
Precip" 2.862.793.944.374.704.614.393.393.073.052.913.32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
35.3%
Good air days/yr
193
Max AQI recorded
260
PM2.5 days
103
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
5,567
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Blue Ash, OH?

Blue Ash has a cost index of 118 (100 = national average). It is 18% above the national average.

What is average rent in Blue Ash, OH?

The median gross rent in Blue Ash is $1,511 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Blue Ash?

The median home value in Blue Ash is $365,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Blue Ash?

The median household income in Blue Ash is $116,663 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Blue Ash, OH?

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

Is Blue Ash, OH affordable?

Blue Ash is above average in cost of living, with an index of 118 — about 18% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Blue Ash?

Blue Ash has average high temperatures of 65.4°F and average lows of 44.2°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Blue Ash at a Glance

Population
13,374
Median Income
$116,663
Home Value
$365,700
Median Rent
$1,511/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
65.4°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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