Cost of Living in Forest Park, OH

Population 19,994 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

68
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Forest Park stay well under national norms: a median home value of $163,000 against median household incomes of $67,201 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Ohio.

Forest Park sits roughly 10 miles north of Cincinnati — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Cincinnati's $215,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 54
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Forest Park

The median home value in Forest Park is $163,200 — 46% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,172/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,201/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, 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 65.1°F and lows of 42.5°F. Overall, Forest Park has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$163,200
46% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$232,637
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
11% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,471/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6x
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 55.8%
Renter-occupied 44.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,172
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,786/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
25.2 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
13.3%
Public transit
2.2%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
7.8%

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
$67,201
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,162
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
12% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Labor Force Participation
68.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 8.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.3
Male median age 36.7
Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.1°F
Avg Low
42.5°F
Annual Precip
41.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404454677583878680685544
Low °F 222332425261646254423226
Precip" 2.912.413.494.634.594.063.672.953.043.173.163.34

💨 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Park, OH?

Forest Park has a cost index of 68 (100 = national average). It is 32% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Park, OH?

The median gross rent in Forest Park is $1,172 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Park?

The median home value in Forest Park is $163,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forest Park?

The median household income in Forest Park is $67,201 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Park, OH?

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

Is Forest Park, OH affordable?

Yes, Forest Park is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 68 — about 32% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Forest Park?

Forest Park has average high temperatures of 65.1°F and average lows of 42.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forest Park at a Glance

Population
19,994
Median Income
$67,201
Home Value
$163,200
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
65.1°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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🗺️ County data for Ohio

Explore county-level cost of living data

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