A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
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 Middletown Ohio National
Cost of living9092100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care10798100
Housing6673100
Transportation95100100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Middletown, OH

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Middletown is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Middletown is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Middletown?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 12 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Middletown and this is how they responded. 0% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 100% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Middletown Affordable?

Wondering if Middletown 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 Middletown, for example, the median home price is 43.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Middletown boasting a median household income of $42,290, which is 23.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Middletown?

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 Middletown, healthcare costs are 6.6% higher than the national average.

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.

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 Middletown, is 34.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Middletown 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Middletown is 2% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Middletown is 10% lower than the national average
  • Middletown housing is 34% 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 Middletown

See all the best places to live around Middletown

Compare Middletown, 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$62,905$5,242$1,468$1,887
      Renters$31,421$2,618$733$943
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Middletown 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. Middletown has a median income of about $62,905 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,468 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $31,421. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $733 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 Middletown National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.00$24.2613.4%
      Beauty Salon $43.31$45.564.9%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $12.84$12.135.8%
      Bowling $16.32$18.009.3%

      Groceries

      Item Middletown National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.04$5.843.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.2%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.19$4.935.1%
      Pizza $13.11$12.098.5%
      Beer $10.57$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Middletown National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.50$125.6813.7%
      Doctor $152.25$135.7812.1%
      Dentist $122.07$113.297.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.62$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $511.48$468.609.2%

      Housing

      Item Middletown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $105,100.00$184,700.0043.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,810.14$2,346.6922.9%
      Apartment Rent $817.00$949.0013.9%

      Transportation

      Item Middletown National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.24$3.466.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.06$59.923.1%

      Utilities

      Item Middletown National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $202.76$193.994.5%
      Phone $186.57$192.253.0%
      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.
      Centerville village, OH698118.9%
      West Elkton, OH1168514.6%
      Somerville, OH3048119.2%
      Camden, OH2,1208119.0%
      New Miami, OH2,5348811.6%
      Middletown, OH48,7659010.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      San Jacinto, CA48,78612019.6%
      Shawinigan, QC48,810n/a 
      Columbus, IN48,820981.6%
      Florin, CA48,83912019.9%
      North Highlands, CA48,66011717.0%
      Middletown, OH48,7659010.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.