Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
The state of Ohio is located in the east-north central region of the Midwestern United States. It is the seventh most populous state in the nation and is filled with wonderful possibilities. It has pockets of island life, a cosmopolitan lifestyle, moderate-size metro areas, rural small-town retreats, the Appalachian mountain range, and a countryside with Amish culture.
When residents are looking for a cosmopolitan way of living, they can easily turn to the 3C’s - Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. At the same time, a 3-hour drive in any direction can help them escape the cities to lounge in the company of breathtaking meadows, rolling hills, forests, rivers, lakes, beaches, caves, cliffs, and even islands.
Ohioans don’t just take pride in the balance of their landscape and cities, but also in the fact that they’ve left an indelible mark on the nation with their creations. Some of Ohio’s notable concepts that the world is probably extremely grateful for are the Man Of Steel ‘Superman’, Quaker Oatmeal, the American hot dog, and Steven Spielberg for Jurassic Park. Did we mention they also invented the canned potato chips ‘Pringles’? Let’s not forget, that King Lebron James is also from Ohio!
The Buckeye State has also been constantly ranked to be one of the best places to live, start a family, and run a business. Now, we’re sure you aren’t completely convinced to move to Ohio by just hearing about the state’s selling points. But by making the above statements, we just wanted you to know a little bit more about what makes up the state’s profile. Since you’re considering moving here, let’s move on to acquainting you with the other aspects you should know about.
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The state of Ohio has four distinct seasons. In a nutshell, residents get to enjoy the typical eastern midwest weather. By this we mean, the summers are hot and humid, winters are chilly and pleasant conditions are in spring and fall. Below is a short description of the seasons to give you a rough estimate of the temperatures.
Winters (end October to mid-March) - Winters in the state of Ohio are usually mild with days where you’ll find dumps of roughy 2-5 inches of snow that melt the next day. It doesn’t stay intensely cold for days in a row, but the temperature bounces from 40F to 20F. The only month where the state does see a lot of snowfall is January, which is the coldest month. However, winter in the northeast portion of Ohio is comparatively rough (around 8-10 inches of snow). But this means you can head North to hit the snow-filled slopes to ski and snowboard.
Summers (June through August) - Summers in Ohio are hot and humid. Temperatures range on average around 70F-90F. On occasional peak days (like in July), the temperature could possibly soar above the 90s. The state is also prone to thunderstorms in the summer but aren’t that severe or destructive. Residents actually look forward to the mild thunderstorms that help cool down the land. Lake Erie and Cedar Point are popular summer spots that tourists and residents rush towards.
Spring (mid-March to end May) - Spring is the time when the climate begins to play with everyone’s emotions. There could be days when it’s as warm as summer (around 80F) and then the temperature could drop to roughly 35F-40F on the same day. The regions in the North, for instance, Cleveland would receive colder temperatures (30F-40F). While Cincinnati in the South would enjoy (35F-55F). Ohio also gets a good amount of rainfall (around 4-5 inches) during the spring. However, residents are grateful to enjoy the longer hours of daily sunshine.
Fall (September and October) - Autumn is the most pleasant time of the year for Ohioans and temperatures range around 50F-80F. To catch peak foliage, visitors and residents make visits to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Berea Falls, and Lake Erie islands. People also visit several pumpkin patches and corn mazes at this time.
See also: Most Sunniest Cities in the US
The state of Ohio shares its border with Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the west, and Michigan to the northwest. To help residents and visitors connect to these 5 neighboring states, Ohio has an extensive network of both state highways and interstate roadways in place.
Below is a brief introduction to the main interstate roads that are most frequently used:
The interstate highways that run in the North-South direction include:
Some of the other Major east-west routes include:
The state in its entirety doesn’t have a public transit system. However, in big metropolitan cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, residents use ridesharing apps, car rentals, bike share services, and humble bus services. Few downtown areas are pedestrian-friendly so you can also always choose to walk. For instance, downtown Cleveland is a highly walkable place and is considered a walker's paradise.
Ohio has a handful of what people define as ‘medium-size airports’, since it doesn’t really have huge shopping outlets, chain restaurants, or tons of terminals. The four most-traveled international airports include:
Amtrak, which is the passenger railroad service that serves most of the cities in the United States has 2 major train services running through the state of Ohio that go by the name ‘Capitol Limited’ and ‘Cardinal’. In total, the whole state has 6 Amtrak train stations. Below is a short snippet of these two train lines
The Capitol Limited - Major stops are Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Ohio stations include Alliance, Cleveland, Elyria, Sandusky, and Toledo.
The Cardinal line - Major stops are Chicago, Indianapolis, Charleston in West Virginia, Alexandria, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newark, and New York City. Ohio station includes just Cincinnati and Union Terminal.
The job market of Ohio is a powerhouse of several booming industries that have a strong foothold in the state. But to keep things simpler, we’ve limited it to a few of the dominant sectors so that you can have a rough idea of the ones that are presently leading the economy. So, Ohio’s largest sectors are transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, and the education sector. The other top-performing industries are retail organizations, insurance companies, banks, and technical services.
To give you more perspective, here is a list of some of the largest employers in the state:
Best Buy, Amazon, Wendy’s, Walmart, The Home Depot, Target, Bath & Body Works, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, AK Steel, and Abercrombie & Fitch also have major distribution centers in Ohio.
Well, this is Ohio’s economy at a glance. If you’re considering moving to the state, chances are, with such a diversified compilation of employers, you won’t struggle to find lucrative job opportunities in a career path you desire.
According to reports by HomeSnacks, the average median rent of houses in Ohio is $1,095, while the national average is roughly $1,650 (so that’s a 33% difference in cost). Renters can surely rejoice about this data since this difference makes renting incredibly cheaper than the rest of the nation. While in comparison to its neighboring states, Ohio is still doing reasonably well.
To put things into perspective for you, run over the below list of tentative rent costs for a 1 bedroom, so you can compare things with a rough price point:
Also, just a heads up that in certain neighborhoods such as Hudson, Powell, Beachwood, New Albany and Dublin, the cost of rent will be much higher, since these are the more affluent parts of town with competitive costs.
Upon consideration of the average median value of homes in Ohio, ($162,933, according to Zillow), it is safe to say that home ownership in Ohio is more affordable than most other states. This means that you would be paying roughly $140,700 in Ohio, while in different parts of the nation, the same house could cost approximately $231,200.
However, do keep in mind these are just rough figures. If you choose to stay in a bustling city like Cincinnati, the median value of homes is $179,685 which is even higher than the state average.
When it comes to matters of groceries, the funds you’ll spend are almost on par with the national average. However, utilities are 22% cheaper than other states. For instance, the average gas bill is $65 and the electricity bill is $97. Along with cable, internet, and water total costs could round up to $447-$550/month.
To live comfortably in Ohio, the median household income requirement is $54,533 (according to Niche). Once again this is just to give you a price point. Depending on your lifestyle choices and the way you prefer spending your income, you could see this as a positive attribute.
1. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland2. Kenyon College, Gambier3. The Ohio State University, Columbus4. Denison University, Granville5. University of Dayton, Dayton6. Oberlin College, Oberlin7. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati8. Miami University, Oxford9. College of Wooster, Wooster10. John Carroll University, University Heights
1. Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, Cincinnati2. Solon City School District, Solon3. Wyoming City Schools, Wyoming4. Mason City School District, Mason5. Oakwood City School District, Dayton6. Beachwood City School District, Beachwood7. Dublin City School District, Dublin8. Ottawa Hills Local School District, Toledo9. Hudson City School District, Hudson10. Madeira City School District, Cincinnati
Columbus is the state capital and the third most populous city in the entire Midwest region. It is also home to Ohio State University and 4 Fortune 500 companies. The city wears many hats and is located in the heart of the state. It’s family-friendly, has a steady diverse economy, and top-notch neighborhoods. Bexley, Dublin, and Grandview Heights are some of the best suburbs of this city.
The median price of homes sold: $182,454Median rent: $928
This city has a little bit of everything. A bustling college town with the University of Cincinnati, historic districts, clean public parks, and art organizations that host a bunch of events. The city is aesthetically set up and was even called the ‘the Paris of America’. The vibrant atmosphere, cityscape, jobs, and close-knit communities are the most appealing traits of Cincinnati.
The median price of homes sold: $179,685Median rent: $709
Although, in Greek mythology, Athens was the largest city, don’t be mistaken that it’s the same as Athens of Ohio. This city is located in the Southeast region of Ohio. It is extremely green in comparison to other cities and lies in close proximity to nature trails. Ohio University is a large contributor to the atmosphere and vibe of this city. Overall, Athens has a small-town charm with a slow pace of life and breathtaking landscapes.
The median price of homes sold: $173,508Median rent: $805
Mason is located in the Southwest region of Ohio and is popularly defined as ‘Ohio’s Largest Playground’. This is possible because of the fun things there are to do in this part of the city. There are amusement parks, amazing shopping centers, malls, playgrounds, parks, and much more. Mason is an ideal place for outdoor activities and families since it also has high-quality school systems. However, the housing here is comparatively more expensive.
The median price of homes sold: $332,492Median rent: $1,200
Powell boasts of top-notch schools, outdoor-oriented communities, premium stores, malls, parks, and quirky restaurants. Since it is a suburban area, it has clean dedicated paths for jogging, bicycling, and running. The city is also just 20 minutes away from the metropolitan hub of Columbus. However, do note that Powell is one of the more affluent parts of the state where housing and cost of living are on the upper end.
The median price of homes sold: $367,000Median rent: $1,597
The Buckeye State is generally considered a flyover state, and it’s a crying shame. It’s because Ohio has so much to offer!
Ohio has a perfect blend of urban and rural living. Chances are high that you’ll be moving to the 3Cs - Columbus, Cincinnati, or Cleveland, and they highly value art too. And if you’re looking for a quieter life in the countryside, you can have that too.
As Ohio is bordered by Lake Erie, life in the islands is a possibility. Kelleys and South Bass are just a couple of them in the lake. Here you can relax and unwind in the lap of nature.
One important factor that you’ll be considering is whether you can afford to live in Ohio. Well, good news! According to BestPlaces, Ohio has a cost of living index of 82.6, and compared to the US average of 100, it’s a great sign.
If you’re looking to start a business, then Ohio is the place to be as it’s ranked among the best states in the US to do so. Along with it, Ohio is where 20 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered, so you there are plenty of job opportunities here too.
Ohio is home to one of the largest Amish settlements in the US. We recommend that you pay it a visit and get a glimpse into their culture, cuisine, and their arts and crafts.
Ohio’s central location makes it ideal for those who want to be in proximity to Chicago or even Illinois for that matter, but still far enough from the chaos of these metropolises.
Ohioans are passionate about sports, with over six teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB. To put it simply, the fans are known to be crazy and at times even obnoxious!
If you’re accustomed to life along the coastline, the Buckeye State simply might not be for you. It’s because the winters here are no joke, with heavy snowfall and blizzards. So you might want to stock up on your winter wear when in Ohio.
Considering that Ohio is a swing state, the political campaigning in Ohio can get overwhelming in the months prior to the elections.
The prominent negative aspect of the Buckeye State is that two of its biggest cities - Cleveland and Cincinnati, are among the poorest in the US. The median household income in Ohio is $56,602, which is lower than the national average of $61,937. This along with a rather high crime rate adds to the negatives of living in Ohio.
Like every other state, Ohio has its share of good and bad. Its rural-urban balance, low cost of living and great art scene make it worth moving here.
With a poverty rate of 30.8%, Cleveland is not just the poorest major city in Ohio, but also in the whole of the US. The annual median household income here is just about $27K, which falls much short of the national average.
You may notice that moving to cities along the coastlines is much more expensive than in the interiors, and Ohio is no exception!
The average home value in Ohio is just $164,968, according to Zillow. And if you’re planning on renting, you’ll be spending a mere $1,033 monthly. While housing is the major expense when moving, even the other expenses including groceries, healthcare, and transportation are cheaper here.
The capital of Ohio, Columbus, is the nicest place to live in Ohio. Lower cost of living, fairly low crime rates, great educational institutions, and a strong job market are huge positives that are sure to draw you here.
About 3.22% of the population in Ohio are employed as counter workers in fast food chains. Retail salespersons and registered nurses come right after.
Youngstown in Mahoning County is the cheapest city to live in Ohio, with the cost of living about 14% lower than the national average. But bear in mind that this is quite a poor city with a relatively high crime rate.
Crime may be a concern if you’re planning on moving to Ohio, as it’s slightly on the higher side. According to NeighborhoodScout, the overall crime rate in Ohio is 23 per 1,000 residents, with a one in 341 chance for you to be a victim of a violent crime, and a one in 49 chance of you falling victim to a property crime.
Our Take On Ohio
The biggest perk of living in Ohio is that there’s a city and rural life balance. You get to experience the best of big cities and the charm of small towns. This is something that is lacking in popular cities that stick to just growing into bigger concrete jungles. So, if you’re someone looking for that balance, chances are you would find it in Ohio. However, this is just our take on the state, but there’s a very high possibility that you will agree with us. In any case, now that you also know more than just the selling points of Ohio, you can probably decide if moving to Ohio is the right choice for you.
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