Cost of Living in Van Wert, OH

Population 10,710 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

44
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Van Wert 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.

Van Wert is about 35 miles east of Fort Wayne, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Fort Wayne's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 36
Rent 56

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

About the Cost of Living in Van Wert

The median home value in Van Wert is $109,700 — 64% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $739/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,632/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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%. Overall, Van Wert has a cost of living index of 44 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 56% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$109,700
64% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$175,782
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$739/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4x
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 67.6%
Renter-occupied 32.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$739
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,353/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
16.7 min
38% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.3%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.1%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
2.9%

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
$53,632
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,477
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.5%
Graduate degree 7.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 38.5
Female median age 41.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92.9%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,926
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Van Wert, OH?

Van Wert has a cost index of 44 (100 = national average). It is 56% below the national average.

What is average rent in Van Wert, OH?

The median gross rent in Van Wert is $739 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Van Wert?

The median home value in Van Wert is $109,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Van Wert?

The median household income in Van Wert is $53,632 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Van Wert, OH?

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

Is Van Wert, OH affordable?

Yes, Van Wert is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 44 — about 56% below the US national average of 100.

Van Wert at a Glance

Population
10,710
Median Income
$53,632
Home Value
$109,700
Median Rent
$739/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Sales Tax
7.2%
View all cities in Ohio →
🗺️ County data for Ohio

Explore county-level cost of living data

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