New Study Says You Need $85K to Live Comfortably in Ohio
New Study Says You Need Nearly $85K to Live Comfortably in Ohio
Living comfortably in Ohio isn’t as cheap as it used to be. According to a new report from SmartAsset, single adults need to earn at least $84,781 a year to keep up with the rising cost of living in the Buckeye State.
The financial education company pulled data from MIT and applied the 50/30/20 budgeting rule: meaning 50% of your income goes to essentials like housing and food, 30% to things like travel or hobbies, and 20% toward long-term savings. Based on that framework, Ohio came in as the seventh most affordable state for individuals in 2025.
RELATED: Procter & Gamble to Cut 7,000 Jobs
Still, nearly $85K a year just to breathe a little? It’s a sign of the times. According to SmartAsset’s findings, that number is about $6,000 higher than what was needed last year.
Across the river, Kentucky ranked even cheaper for singles, needing just under $84,000 to live comfortably. But, families of four need to bring in about $193,000 for a stable household. Ohio families, however, will need to bring in $220,563, putting us around the middle of the pack nationally for cost of living.
For comparison:
- Indiana: $86K needed for singles (11th cheapest)
- West Virginia: Cheapest for singles at $80,829
- Hawaii: Most expensive at $124K
- Massachusetts: Most expensive for families, requiring over $313K
Bottom line: Whether you’re solo in the city or raising a family in the suburbs, the price of “comfortable” in Ohio is climbing… and fast.
- 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend [PHOTOS + VIDEOS]
- Learn How To Make Money While You Sleep | Dr. Willie Jolley
- Nolan Wells Autopsy Results Will Be Withheld Until Grand Jury Sees Them First, DA Says
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs In Solitary Confinement After Alleged Prison Fight In New Jersey
- Daryl Martinez Lowry: Black 13-Year-Old Allegedly Stabbed Then Drowned By White Teen Near Foster Home
- Black Man Killed By Madison Cop Identified As Protests Around the City Continue To Intensify
- 3 US Airports Opting Into Privatized Security Screenings
- Teddy Cross Shares Powerful Testimony Behind New Gospel Song
- Trump Admin Seeks To Utilize 'Alien Terrorist Removal Court' That Hasn't Been Active Since It Was Created In 1996
- Party With a Purpose: Karyn White Joins the One Voyage 2026 Lineup
