For role-by-role compensation benchmarking and career income strategy, see the Profession Salary Guides hub.

For conversion formulas, overtime scenarios, and annual-pay planning, see the Hourly to Annual hub.

A good salary in Ohio is $50,000-$65,000 for a single person. Ohio offers excellent affordability throughout most of the state.

Quick Answer by City

City Good Salary Comfortable Thriving
Columbus $55,000 $70,000 $100,000
Cleveland $50,000 $65,000 $90,000
Cincinnati $55,000 $70,000 $100,000
Dayton $45,000 $55,000 $80,000
Toledo $45,000 $55,000 $80,000

Ohio Cost of Living

Category Ohio National Avg Difference
Overall 88 100 -12%
Housing 75 100 -25%
Transportation 92 100 -8%
Healthcare 95 100 -5%
Utilities 95 100 -5%

Ohio’s housing affordability is among the best in the nation.

Ohio Income Tax

Ohio uses graduated brackets that only apply above $26,050:

Income Tax Rate
$0 - $26,050 0%
$26,050 - $100,000 2.75%
Over $100,000 3.5%

Ohio’s tax rates are relatively low compared to other states.

Take-Home Pay in Ohio

Gross Salary Federal Tax State Tax FICA Take-Home
$50,000 $4,000 $660 $3,825 $41,515
$60,000 $5,500 $935 $4,590 $48,975
$75,000 $8,000 $1,350 $5,738 $59,912
$100,000 $12,500 $2,030 $7,650 $77,820

Housing Costs by City

City Median Home Price Median Rent (1BR)
Columbus $290,000 $1,200
Cincinnati $260,000 $1,100
Cleveland $200,000 $950
Dayton $180,000 $850
Toledo $150,000 $800

Home Affordability by Salary

Salary Affordable Home Monthly Payment Available In
$50,000 $175,000 $1,170 Toledo, Dayton
$65,000 $230,000 $1,520 Cleveland
$80,000 $280,000 $1,870 Cincinnati, Columbus suburbs
$100,000 $350,000 $2,330 Columbus

Ohio Economic Hubs

Industry Primary Cities Avg Salary Range
Healthcare Cleveland, Columbus $50,000-$120,000
Finance/Insurance Columbus $55,000-$130,000
Manufacturing Dayton, Toledo $40,000-$80,000
Education Columbus, Athens $45,000-$85,000
Tech Columbus $70,000-$150,000

Columbus has emerged as a major tech hub with Intel investment.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes

WealthVieu
Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy