A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
35%
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 Bellefontaine Ohio National
Cost of living9492100
Goods & Services105100100
Groceries102101100
Health care11298100
Housing6573100
Transportation117100100
Utilities10199100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bellefontaine, OH

The cost of living in Bellefontaine 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 Bellefontaine is 94, which is 6% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Bellefontaine, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Bellefontaine will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Bellefontaine Affordable?

Is Bellefontaine affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Bellefontaine, the median home price is 38.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 27.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Bellefontaine boasting a median household income of $51,307, 7.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bellefontaine?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Bellefontaine, healthcare costs are 11.8% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Bellefontaine, the housing index is 35.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Bellefontaine, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bellefontaine is 2% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Bellefontaine is 6% lower than the national average
  • Bellefontaine housing is 35% 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 Bellefontaine

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Compare Bellefontaine, 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$72,119$6,010$1,683$2,164
      Renters$36,471$3,039$851$1,094
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Bellefontaine is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Bellefontaine has a median income of about $72,119 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,683 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $36,471. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $851 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Bellefontaine 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 Bellefontaine 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 Bellefontaine 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 Bellefontaine National avg. Difference
      Home Price $113,000.00$184,700.0038.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,211.29$2,346.695.8%
      Apartment Rent $687.00$949.0027.6%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Bellefontaine 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.
      East Liberty, OH3901066.0%
      Lewistown, OH2651066.0%
      Ridgeway, OH3498811.7%
      Russells Point, OH1,4408910.6%
      Lakeview, OH1,1409010.0%
      Bellefontaine, OH13,250946.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Richmond Hill, GA13,2501077.2%
      Shorewood, WI13,24812020.3%
      Western Springs, IL13,24716161.3%
      Bedford, IN13,2468811.6%
      McFarland, CA13,2441109.6%
      Bellefontaine, OH13,250946.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.