Cost of Living in Kettering, OH

Population 57,442 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Kettering stay well under national norms: a median home value of $193,000 against median household incomes of $71,619 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Ohio.

Geographically, Kettering sits roughly 7 miles southeast of Dayton. Median home values run roughly 107% higher than Dayton's $93,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 63

Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Kettering

The median home value in Kettering is $192,500 — 37% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $983/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,619/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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 64.2°F and lows of 44.0°F. Overall, Kettering has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$192,500

37% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$239,030

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$983/mo

25% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,171/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

16.3x

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 64.9%

Renter-occupied 35.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$983

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,597/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

22.1 min

18% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

77.7%

Carpooled

7.7%

Public transit

1.4%

Walked

1.1%

Bicycle

0.3%

Work from home

11.3%

⚡ 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

$71,619

4% below avg

Per Capita Income

$42,217

Unemployment Rate

3.8%

21% below avg

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Labor Force Participation

65.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.8%

Graduate degree 16.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.6

Male median age 36.9

Female median age 40.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

64.2°F

Avg Low

44.0°F

Annual Precip

41"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	39	43	53	65	75	83	86	85	79	67	54	43
Low °F	22	25	33	43	53	62	65	63	56	45	35	27
Precip"	2.91	2.33	3.48	4.37	4.21	4.90	3.63	2.81	2.97	3.02	3.13	3.21

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate

49.9%

Good air days/yr

196

Max AQI recorded

246

PM2.5 days

116

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%

4-Year Graduation Rate

17.7:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

8,719

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kettering, OH?

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

What is average rent in Kettering, OH?

The median gross rent in Kettering is $983 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kettering?

The median home value in Kettering is $192,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kettering?

The median household income in Kettering is $71,619 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kettering, OH?

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

Is Kettering, OH affordable?

Yes, Kettering 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 Kettering?

Kettering has average high temperatures of 64.2°F and average lows of 44.0°F. Annual precipitation is 41". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kettering at a Glance

Population: 57,442
Median Income: $71,619
Home Value: $192,500
Median Rent: $983/mo
Unemployment: 3.8%
Avg High Temp: 64.2°F
Sales Tax: 7.2%

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