A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Defiance Ohio National
Cost of living9592100
Goods & Services105100100
Groceries102101100
Health care11298100
Housing6873100
Transportation117100100
Utilities10199100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Defiance, OH

The cost of living in Defiance affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Defiance is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Defiance aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Defiance residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Defiance Affordable?

Wondering if Defiance is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Defiance, for example, the median home price is 36.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 22% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Defiance boasting a median household income of $50,625, which is 8.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Defiance?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Defiance, the groceries index is 1.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Defiance, the housing index comes in at 32.1% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Defiance cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Defiance is 3% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Defiance is 5% lower than the national average
  • Defiance housing is 32% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Defiance

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Compare Defiance, OH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,093$5,841$1,635$2,103
      Renters$25,798$2,150$602$774
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Defiance, OH, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Defiance, the median monthly income is $70,093 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,635 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $25,798, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $602 on monthly rental expenses.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.92$24.2627.4%
      Beauty Salon $47.35$45.563.9%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.6%
      Movie $13.39$12.1310.4%
      Bowling $16.98$18.005.7%

      Groceries

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $4.95$5.8415.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.73$1.579.7%
      Milk $4.62$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.06$4.932.5%
      Pizza $12.96$12.097.2%
      Beer $10.31$10.411.0%

      Health Care

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $98.91$125.6821.3%
      Doctor $195.55$135.7844.0%
      Dentist $109.86$113.293.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.77$10.651.1%
      Lipitor $511.43$468.609.1%

      Housing

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      Home Price $117,400.00$184,700.0036.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,211.29$2,346.695.8%
      Apartment Rent $740.00$949.0022.0%

      Transportation

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.48$3.460.4%
      Tire Balancing $93.87$59.9256.7%

      Utilities

      Item Defiance National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.81$193.993.5%
      Phone $185.74$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cecil, OH1528119.3%
      Melrose, OH3588613.6%
      New Bavaria, OH878515.1%
      Ney, OH2778316.6%
      Paulding, OH3,6538416.2%
      Defiance, OH16,741955.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Seven Oaks, SC16,743972.8%
      Seagoville, TX16,7261011.2%
      Clayton, MO16,76314747.4%
      Bull Run, VA16,76912020.2%
      Cohoes, NY16,7081000.4%
      Defiance, OH16,741955.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.