Cost of Living in Jefferson, OH

Population 3,347 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The median resident in Jefferson is 55 years old, well past the national midpoint, giving the city the retail and service mix of a retirement-dominant market. Household-income figures here read differently than in working-age cities: retirement and investment income weigh heavily in the totals. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 50 miles east of Cleveland, Jefferson is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 101% higher than Cleveland's $94,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 62
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Jefferson

The median home value in Jefferson is $189,500 — 38% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $958/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,469/year is 36% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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 58.2°F and lows of 39.5°F. Overall, Jefferson has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$189,500
38% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$475,739
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$958/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5x
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 71.5%
Renter-occupied 28.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$958
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,572/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
23.8 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.2%
Carpooled
6.1%
Walked
2.0%
Work from home
2.4%

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
$47,469
36% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,328
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
69% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor Force Participation
55.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.1%
Graduate degree 2.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 55.2
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 63.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.2°F
Avg Low
39.5°F
Annual Precip
37.1"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333644586977817973614938
Low °F 191926364655605852423426
Precip" 1.901.682.363.363.303.684.273.573.853.683.102.32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
84.9%
Good air days/yr
147
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
20.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,668
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Jefferson, OH?

Jefferson has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Jefferson, OH?

The median gross rent in Jefferson is $958 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Jefferson?

The median home value in Jefferson is $189,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Jefferson?

The median household income in Jefferson is $47,469 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Jefferson, OH?

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

Is Jefferson, OH affordable?

Yes, Jefferson is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Jefferson?

Jefferson has average high temperatures of 58.2°F and average lows of 39.5°F. Annual precipitation is 37.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Jefferson at a Glance

Population
3,347
Median Income
$47,469
Home Value
$189,500
Median Rent
$958/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Avg High Temp
58.2°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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