So, you’re curious about living in Ohio? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Ohio.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Ohio matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Ohio is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Ohio
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Ohio is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Ohio:
- There’s plenty of outdoor activities to take part in like hiking, boating or skiing.
- Ohio has a thriving arts community with museums galore!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Ohio:
- The winters can be brutal.
- There are less public transportation options when compared to bigger cities on the coasts so getting around may take more time out of your schedule.
Read More: Is Ohio a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Ohio
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Ohio? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Ohio!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Ohio.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Ohio:
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Madeira
- New Albany
- Toledo
Read More: Best Places to Live in Ohio
Checklist for Moving to Ohio
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Ohio. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Ohio.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Ohio:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Ohio driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Ohio
- Getting Ohio car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Ohio and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Ohio.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Ohio and your previous home state.
Visit your Ohio Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Ohio Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Ohio.
Things to Know About Living in Ohio
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Ohio, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Ohio
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Ohio ranks 12th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 91.6, meaning it’s a relatively inexpensive place to live.
Here is how Ohio scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 97.9
- Housing: 76.1
- Utilities: 90.7
- Transportation: 99.6
- Health: 98.4
- Miscellaneous: 98.7
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Ohio
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Ohio from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Ohio’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 5.75%, with an average local rate of 1.48% (the highest local sales tax rate is 2.25%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 7.23%.
Check with the Ohio tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Ohio
If you own or plan to own real estate in Ohio, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Ohio ranks 39th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.56%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Ohio tax office for the most current tax rates.
Ohio’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Ohio is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Ohio ranks 7th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Manufacturing
- Professional and business services
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Finance and insurance
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Construction
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Transportation and warehousing
The top employer in Ohio is Walmart.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Ohio
Our Ohio moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Ohio is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
National Parks that you can visit in Ohio include:
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Monuments that you can find in Ohio include:
- Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Ohio
Ohio is the 17th state of the United States that lies in the midwest region. To its north is Michigan and Lake Erie, to its south is Kentucky and West Virginia, to its east is Pennsylvania, and to its west is Indiana.
What is the capital of Ohio?
The capital of Ohio is Columbus.
Columbus is located in the middle of the state with a population of 892,553.
What is the population of Ohio?
The population of Ohio based on 2020 US Census data is 11,799,448.
What is the largest city in Ohio?
The largest city in Ohio is Columbus.
What is the size of Ohio?
Ohio is 44,825 square miles, making it the 34th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Ohio?
The state motto of Ohio is: With God, all things are possible / Imperium in imperio
What is the state bird of Ohio?
The state bird of Ohio is the Northern cardinal.
What is the state flower of Ohio?
The state flower of Ohio is the Scarlet carnation.
What is the state tree of Ohio?
The state tree of Ohio is the Ohio Buckeye.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Ohio?
The minimum wage in Ohio is $7.25 to $8.80 per hour.
What is the median income in Ohio?
The median annual household salary in Ohio is $56,111.