A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
42%
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 Garfield Heights Ohio National
Cost of living8592100
Goods & Services92100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9598100
Housing5873100
Transportation98100100
Utilities10399100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Garfield Heights, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Garfield Heights 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 Garfield Heights stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.

Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Garfield Heights stands out by reporting housing costs that are 41.8% 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 Garfield Heights can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Garfield Heights?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Garfield Heights. The results indicated that 83% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 17% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Garfield Heights Affordable?

Wondering if Garfield Heights 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 Garfield Heights, for example, the median home price is 59.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 1.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Garfield Heights boasting a median household income of $43,901, which is 20.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Garfield Heights?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Garfield Heights, the groceries index is 1.1% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Garfield Heights, the utilities index registers at 2.8% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Garfield Heights, is 41.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Garfield Heights cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Garfield Heights is 8% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Garfield Heights is 15% lower than the national average
  • Garfield Heights housing is 42% 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 Garfield Heights

See all the best places to live around Garfield Heights

Compare Garfield Heights, 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$57,018$4,752$1,330$1,711
      Renters$25,967$2,164$606$779
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Garfield Heights, OH, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Garfield Heights, homeowners have a median income of $57,018. Using that number, a maximum of $1,330 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $25,967, which means there is a maximum of $606 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.67$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $35.31$45.5622.5%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.45$1.2813.0%
      Movie $11.60$12.134.4%
      Bowling $18.27$18.001.5%

      Groceries

      Item Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.46$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.38$4.939.1%
      Pizza $9.98$12.0917.4%
      Beer $10.51$10.411.0%

      Health Care

      Item Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $103.58$125.6817.6%
      Doctor $119.67$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $109.73$113.293.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.73$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $503.65$468.607.5%

      Housing

      Item Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $75,400.00$184,700.0059.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,788.16$2,346.6923.8%
      Apartment Rent $937.00$949.001.3%

      Transportation

      Item Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $57.76$59.923.6%

      Utilities

      Item Garfield Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $205.88$193.996.1%
      Phone $186.78$192.252.8%
      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.
      East Cleveland, OH17,0478020.0%
      Linndale, OH3348217.9%
      Kinsman Center, OH6608217.9%
      Bainbridge village, OH7298217.8%
      Highland Hills, OH7648217.8%
      Garfield Heights, OH27,6738515.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Oxford, MS27,6621011.4%
      Frankfort, KY27,705928.0%
      Windsor, CA27,63517776.8%
      Marion, IN27,7308020.0%
      Lansing, IL27,614982.5%
      Garfield Heights, OH27,6738515.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.