What is the cost of living in Lorain, OH?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Lorain has an overall cost of living index of 82, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Ohio, Lorain has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Ohio's index of 90.
The standard of living in Lorain ranks as #15 most affordable out of the 284 places we measured in Ohio. By definition, that implies Lorain ranks as the #269 most expensive place in the Buckeye State.
For more reading on life in Lorain, check out:
Lorain Cost Of Living Vs. Ohio
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Lorain. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Lorain is 96.
The Groceries index in Lorain is 92.
The Health index in Lorain is 57.
The Housing index in Lorain is 96.
The Transportation index in Lorain is 94.
The Utilities index in Lorain is 96.
| Living Expense | Lorain | Ohio | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 92 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 57 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 97 | 100 |
Lorain Cost Of Living Compared To Ohio Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Ohio, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Lorain Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Lorain, OH Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Ohio, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Lorain is $150,828.
The Median Rent in Lorain is $887.
The Median Income in Lorain is $48,685.
The Home Value To Income in Lorain is 3.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Lorain is 0.22x.
Lorain, OH Costs By Category
Detailed Lorain Services costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Lorain Groceries costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Lorain Health costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Lorain Transportation costs vs. Ohio
Lorain SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Lorain
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Lorain. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Elyria, OH has a cost of living index of 87, 1.1x Lorain.
Lakewood, OH has a cost of living index of 94, 1.1x Lorain.
North Ridgeville, OH has a cost of living index of 100, 1.2x Lorain.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Lorain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elyria, OH | 53,035 | 87 | 1.1x |
| Lakewood, OH | 50,007 | 94 | 1.1x |
| North Ridgeville, OH | 36,627 | 100 | 1.2x |
| Westlake, OH | 34,104 | 110 | 1.3x |
| North Olmsted, OH | 31,924 | 96 | 1.2x |
| Avon Lake, OH | 25,752 | 110 | 1.3x |
| Avon, OH | 25,317 | 114 | 1.4x |
| Rocky River, OH | 21,490 | 108 | 1.3x |
| Fairview Park, OH | 17,018 | 94 | 1.1x |
| Middleburg Heights, OH | 15,786 | 97 | 1.2x |
