Cost of Living in Garfield Heights, OH

Population 29,369 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

53
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Garfield Heights cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $100,000, rents near $1,085 a month. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Garfield Heights sits roughly 6 miles southeast of Cleveland — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Cleveland's $94,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 33
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Garfield Heights

The median home value in Garfield Heights is $100,000 — 67% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,085/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,006/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, 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, Garfield Heights has a cost of living index of 53 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$100,000
67% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$131,430
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,085/mo
17% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,446/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
7.7x
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 57.9%
Renter-occupied 42.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,085
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,699/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
24.2 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.4%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
2.4%
Work from home
6.6%

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
$52,006
30% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,699
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
90% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.2%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 40.3

🌤 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

80%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
3,604
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Garfield Heights, OH?

Garfield Heights has a cost index of 53 (100 = national average). It is 47% below the national average.

What is average rent in Garfield Heights, OH?

The median gross rent in Garfield Heights is $1,085 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Garfield Heights?

The median home value in Garfield Heights is $100,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Garfield Heights?

The median household income in Garfield Heights is $52,006 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Garfield Heights, OH?

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

Is Garfield Heights, OH affordable?

Yes, Garfield Heights is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 53 — about 47% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Garfield Heights?

Garfield Heights 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.

Garfield Heights at a Glance

Population
29,369
Median Income
$52,006
Home Value
$100,000
Median Rent
$1,085/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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