A+
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
54%
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 Fostoria Ohio National
Cost of living8492100
Goods & Services105100100
Groceries99101100
Health care8698100
Housing4673100
Transportation100100100
Utilities9499100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fostoria, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Fostoria allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Fostoria stands at 84, marking it 16% lower than the national average.

Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Fostoria stands out by reporting housing costs that are 54.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Fostoria can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.

Is Fostoria Affordable?

Wondering if Fostoria 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 Fostoria, for example, the median home price is 64.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 30.2% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fostoria boasting a median household income of $42,131, which is 23.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fostoria?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Fostoria, healthcare costs are 14.2% lower than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Fostoria, the transportation index is 0.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Fostoria displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fostoria is 9% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Fostoria is 16% lower than the national average
  • Fostoria housing is 54% 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 Fostoria

See all the best places to live around Fostoria

Compare Fostoria, 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$49,413$4,118$1,153$1,483
      Renters$31,392$2,616$732$942
      The affordability of the housing market in Fostoria, OH as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Fostoria homeowners, the median income is $49,413. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,153 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $31,392. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $732 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Fostoria National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.45$24.263.3%
      Beauty Salon $39.83$45.5612.6%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.5%
      Movie $11.62$12.134.2%
      Bowling $11.78$18.0034.6%

      Groceries

      Item Fostoria National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.83$4.932.1%
      Pizza $11.74$12.092.9%
      Beer $10.79$10.413.6%

      Health Care

      Item Fostoria National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $82.43$125.6834.4%
      Doctor $123.67$135.788.9%
      Dentist $92.00$113.2918.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.24$10.653.9%
      Lipitor $421.83$468.6010.0%

      Housing

      Item Fostoria National avg. Difference
      Home Price $66,000.00$184,700.0064.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,797.82$2,346.6923.4%
      Apartment Rent $662.00$949.0030.2%

      Transportation

      Item Fostoria National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.3%
      Tire Balancing $64.21$59.927.2%

      Utilities

      Item Fostoria National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $180.12$193.997.2%
      Phone $184.90$192.253.8%
      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.
      Kansas, OH521000.4%
      Fort Seneca, OH1021000.4%
      Bairdstown, OH1028119.2%
      Old Fort, OH2188119.2%
      West Millgrove, OH1358217.9%
      Fostoria, OH13,1938415.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mounds View, MN13,1931011.5%
      Waianae, HI13,19214545.1%
      Clayton, OH13,201945.6%
      Lachute, QC13,184n/a 
      Rogers, MN13,18312020.3%
      Fostoria, OH13,1938415.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.