Cost of Living in Fostoria, OH

Population 12,671 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

39
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Fostoria sits on the smaller end of the Ohio city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Fostoria is about 35 miles south of Toledo, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Toledo's $107,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 27
Rent 58

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

About the Cost of Living in Fostoria

The median home value in Fostoria is $81,500 — 73% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $759/month, 42% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,943/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, 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 61.9°F and lows of 42.9°F. Overall, Fostoria has a cost of living index of 39 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 61% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$81,500
73% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$132,509
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$759/mo
42% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
8.9x
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 66.9%
Renter-occupied 33.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$759
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,373/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
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
16.0%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.9%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
2.1%

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
$52,943
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,549
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
44% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Labor Force Participation
62.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.8%
Graduate degree 3.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.8
Male median age 38.4
Female median age 39

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.9°F
Avg Low
42.9°F
Annual Precip
33.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353849627382858478655140
Low °F 202331415261646255453426
Precip" 2.051.682.333.423.753.933.633.392.632.512.382.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
82.2%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
241
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
1,820
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fostoria, OH?

Fostoria has a cost index of 39 (100 = national average). It is 61% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fostoria, OH?

The median gross rent in Fostoria is $759 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fostoria?

The median home value in Fostoria is $81,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fostoria?

The median household income in Fostoria is $52,943 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fostoria, OH?

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

Is Fostoria, OH affordable?

Yes, Fostoria is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 39 — about 61% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fostoria?

Fostoria has average high temperatures of 61.9°F and average lows of 42.9°F. Annual precipitation is 33.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fostoria at a Glance

Population
12,671
Median Income
$52,943
Home Value
$81,500
Median Rent
$759/mo
Unemployment
6.9%
Avg High Temp
61.9°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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