Oberlin, OH Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Oberlin, OH Summary

Cost of living in Oberlin research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Oberlin is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Ohio, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Oberlin is 94, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Oberlin is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Oberlin ranks as the #158 cheapest in Ohio out of 289.

  • Oberlin ranks as the #1,806 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Oberlin is $232,980.

  • The median income in Oberlin is $73,775.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
94
Oberlin's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Oberlin, OH?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Oberlin has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Ohio, Oberlin has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Ohio's index of 93.

The standard of living in Oberlin ranks as #158 most affordable out of the 289 places we measured in Ohio. By definition, that implies Oberlin ranks as the #131 most expensive place in the Buckeye State.

For more reading on life in Oberlin, check out:

158 out of 289
In Ohio
1,806 out of 6,489
In America

Oberlin Cost Of Living Vs. Ohio

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Oberlin. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Oberlin is 90.

  • The Groceries index in Oberlin is 102.

  • The Health index in Oberlin is 96.

  • The Housing index in Oberlin is 84.

  • The Transportation index in Oberlin is 98.

  • The Utilities index in Oberlin is 104.

Living Expense Oberlin Ohio National Average
Overall 94 93 100
Services 90 101 100
Groceries 102 103 100
Health 96 97 100
Housing 84 74 100
Transportation 98 102 100
Utilities 104 100 100
For more reading on cost of living around Ohio, check out:
Oberlin Cost of Living Vs. OH

Oberlin, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Oberlin is $232,980.

  • The Median Rent in Oberlin is $982.

  • The Median Income in Oberlin is $73,775.

  • The Home Value To Income in Oberlin is 3.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Oberlin is 0.16x.

Statistic Oberlin Ohio United States
Median Home Value $232,980 $240,287 $303,400
Median Rent $982 $988 $1,348
Median Income $73,775 $69,680 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.2x 3.4x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.16x 0.17x 0.21x
$232,980
Median Home Value
$982
Median Rent
$73,775
Median Income

Oberlin, OH Costs By Category

Detailed Oberlin Services Costs Vs. Ohio

Item Oberlin Ohio
Shampoo $1.45 $1.28
Movie $11.6 $12.13
Bowling $18.27 $18
Haircut $23.67 $24.26
Beauty Salon $35.31 $45.56

Detailed Oberlin Groceries Costs Vs. Ohio

Item Oberlin Ohio
Ground Beef $5.46 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.57 $4.67
Potatoes $5.38 $4.93
Pizza $9.98 $12.09
Beer $10.51 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.68 $3.7

Detailed Oberlin Health Costs Vs. Ohio

Item Oberlin Ohio
Optometrist $103.58 $125.68
Doctor $119.67 $135.78
Dentist $109.73 $113.29

Detailed Oberlin Transportation Costs Vs. Ohio

Item Oberlin Ohio
Gasoline $3.41 $3.46
Tire Balancing $57.76 $59.92

Detailed Oberlin Utilities Costs Vs. Ohio

Item Oberlin Ohio
All Electricity $205.88 $193.99
Phone $186.78 $192.25

Oberlin SnackAbility

8
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
7
Diversity
8.5
Safety
8
Amenities
8
Education
8.5
Commute
10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Oberlin

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Oberlin. 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 88, 0.9x Oberlin.

  • North Ridgeville, OH has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Oberlin.

  • Westlake, OH has a cost of living index of 110, 1.2x Oberlin.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Oberlin
Elyria, OH 52,833 88 0.9x
North Ridgeville, OH 36,043 100 1.1x
Westlake, OH 34,036 110 1.2x
North Olmsted, OH 32,031 96 1.0x
Avon Lake, OH 25,456 108 1.1x
Avon, OH 25,082 114 1.2x
Berea, OH 18,330 94 1.0x
Amherst, OH 12,796 93 1.0x
Vermilion, OH 10,451 93 1.0x
Olmsted Falls, OH 8,640 95 1.0x

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