Cost of Living in Oberlin, OH

Population 8,054 · 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

Oberlin offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $208,000 — costs less than 2.8 times median household income of $73,775, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Located 30 miles west of Cleveland, Oberlin falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 121% higher than Cleveland's $94,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 68

Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Oberlin

The median home value in Oberlin is $207,500 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $982/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,775/year is 1% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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 59.2°F and lows of 41.2°F. Overall, Oberlin has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

📍

Oberlin has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Amherst, OH

Median home: $222,700

Rent: $832/mo

Income: $93,043

Elyria, OH

Median home: $142,800

Rent: $859/mo

Income: $53,204

Vermilion, OH

Median home: $172,000

Rent: $1,123/mo

Income: $73,052

Lorain, OH

Median home: $123,500

Rent: $839/mo

Income: $45,799

North Ridgeville, OH

Median home: $254,700

Rent: $1,067/mo

Income: $94,234

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$207,500

32% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$445,801

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$982/mo

25% below avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

17.6x

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 57.0%

Renter-occupied 43.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$982

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,596/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

17.6 min

35% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

11.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

45.9%

Carpooled

6.3%

Public transit

1.9%

Walked

30.1%

Bicycle

2.7%

Work from home

11.2%

⚡ 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

$73,775

1% below avg

Per Capita Income

$30,601

Unemployment Rate

5.4%

13% above avg

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Labor Force Participation

53.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.7%

Graduate degree 36.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 24.2

Male median age 26.3

Female median age 22.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

59.2°F

Avg Low

41.2°F

Annual Precip

36.7"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	34	36	45	59	70	79	82	80	75	63	49	39
Low °F	20	21	29	39	49	59	62	60	53	43	34	26
Precip"	2.11	1.66	2.48	3.28	3.64	3.87	3.56	3.63	3.74	3.50	2.96	2.29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good

90.9%

Good air days/yr

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

243

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%

4-Year Graduation Rate

12.9:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

966

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Oberlin, OH?

Oberlin has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Oberlin, OH?

The median gross rent in Oberlin is $982 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Oberlin?

The median home value in Oberlin is $207,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Oberlin?

The median household income in Oberlin is $73,775 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Oberlin, OH?

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

Is Oberlin, OH affordable?

Yes, Oberlin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Oberlin?

Oberlin has average high temperatures of 59.2°F and average lows of 41.2°F. Annual precipitation is 36.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Oberlin at a Glance

Population: 8,054
Median Income: $73,775
Home Value: $207,500
Median Rent: $982/mo
Unemployment: 5.4%
Avg High Temp: 59.2°F
Sales Tax: 7.2%

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