A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
47%
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 Zanesville Ohio National
Cost of living8292100
Goods & Services94100100
Groceries104101100
Health care8598100
Housing5373100
Transportation90100100
Utilities9599100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Zanesville, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Zanesville 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 Zanesville stands at 82, marking it 18% lower than the national average.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Zanesville distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 46.7% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Zanesville can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

Is Zanesville Affordable?

Is Zanesville 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 Zanesville, the median home price is 55.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 25.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Zanesville boasting a median household income of $33,158, 40.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Zanesville?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Zanesville, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5.75%, and income tax rates start at 0%.

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 Zanesville, the housing index is 46.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Zanesville 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 Zanesville is 11% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Zanesville is 18% lower than the national average
  • Zanesville housing is 47% 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 Zanesville

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Compare Zanesville, 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$50,413$4,201$1,176$1,513
      Renters$23,974$1,998$559$719
      The affordability of the housing market in Zanesville, 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 Zanesville homeowners, the median income is $50,413. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,176 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $23,974. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $559 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 Zanesville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.46$24.2611.5%
      Beauty Salon $42.47$45.566.8%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.282.8%
      Movie $12.00$12.131.1%
      Bowling $19.07$18.005.9%

      Groceries

      Item Zanesville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.63$5.843.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.6%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.8%
      Potatoes $5.24$4.936.2%
      Pizza $11.49$12.094.9%
      Beer $10.68$10.412.6%

      Health Care

      Item Zanesville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $65.99$125.6847.5%
      Doctor $117.73$135.7813.3%
      Dentist $89.30$113.2921.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.68$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $475.58$468.601.5%

      Housing

      Item Zanesville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $81,700.00$184,700.0055.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,862.49$2,346.6920.6%
      Apartment Rent $706.00$949.0025.6%

      Transportation

      Item Zanesville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.42$3.461.2%
      Tire Balancing $41.79$59.9230.3%

      Utilities

      Item Zanesville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.76$193.995.8%
      Phone $186.03$192.253.2%
      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 Fultonham, OH362955.3%
      Brownsville, OH237955.3%
      Trinway, OH1377525.3%
      Roseville, OH2,2107920.8%
      South Zanesville, OH2,0927920.7%
      Zanesville, OH25,2468217.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Collingwood, ON25,244n/a 
      Reading, MA25,23616463.9%
      Watertown, NY25,224945.8%
      Hazelwood, MO25,2228812.3%
      Suitland, MD25,27312019.8%
      Zanesville, OH25,2468217.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.