Ohio
93.7
composite · rank #20
- Housing
- 86.3
- Grocery
- 98.9
- Utilities
- 100.9
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Ohio vs Michigan Cost of Living
Ohio has the lower cost of living by 0.2 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Ohio is lower
0.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Michigan is roughly $99,787 in Ohio.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Michigan
93.9
composite · rank #22
- Housing
- 85.7
- Grocery
- 100.1
- Utilities
- 98
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Ohio | Michigan | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 98.9 | 100.1 | Ohio |
| Housing | 86.3 | 85.7 | Michigan |
| Utilities | 100.9 | 98 | Michigan |
| Transportation | 92.7 | 98.5 | Ohio |
| Health care | 96.5 | 88.2 | Michigan |
| Misc. goods & services | 96 | 97 | Ohio |
Grocery
Ohio98.9
Michigan100.1
Lower cost: Ohio
Housing
Ohio86.3
Michigan85.7
Lower cost: Michigan
Utilities
Ohio100.9
Michigan98
Lower cost: Michigan
Transportation
Ohio92.7
Michigan98.5
Lower cost: Ohio
Health care
Ohio96.5
Michigan88.2
Lower cost: Michigan
Misc. goods & services
Ohio96
Michigan97
Lower cost: Ohio
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Michigan | Needed in Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,107 | $49,894 |
| $75,000 | $75,160 | $74,840 |
| $100,000 | $100,213 | $99,787 |
| $150,000 | $150,320 | $149,681 |
| $250,000 | $250,534 | $249,468 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Michigan$50,107
In Ohio$49,894
$75,000 origin salary
In Michigan$75,160
In Ohio$74,840
$100,000 origin salary
In Michigan$100,213
In Ohio$99,787
$150,000 origin salary
In Michigan$150,320
In Ohio$149,681
Housing gap
Ohio housing is 86.3; Michigan is 85.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Ohio is roughly $100,213 in Michigan.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Ohio vs Michigan cost of living FAQs
Ohio has the lower cost of living by 0.2 index points. The composite indexes are 93.7 in Ohio and 93.9 in Michigan (US average = 100).
About $100,213 in Michigan would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Ohio, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,787 in Ohio would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Michigan.
Housing indexes are 86.3 in Ohio and 85.7 in Michigan. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Ohio has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.