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Moving from California to Ohio

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

OH state flag
Moving to

Ohio

Capital: Columbus

Median household income $66,990 · winter low 21°F · 178 sunny days

Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros.

Ohio has an overall price level 92.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Ohio
92.8
Ohio has 16% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Ohio
73.0
Ohio has 53% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Ohio
98.2
Ohio has 4.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Ohio
98.9
Ohio has 2.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Ohio
18.8 ¢/kWh
Ohio has 44% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Ohio
98.6
Ohio has 3.5% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Ohio
$239,800
Ohio is 68% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Ohio
$878/mo
Ohio is 52% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 21°F · 178 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Ohio
84°F
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Ohio
21°F
Ohio is 53% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Ohio
51°F
Ohio is 13% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Ohio
178
Ohio has 31% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Ohio
40 in
Ohio is 56% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
California
68
Ohio
42
Ohio has 38% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Ohio
25 in
Ohio is 56% more annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaOhio report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Ohio than California?

Ohio's overall price level is roughly 89.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Ohio tops out at 2.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Ohio?

Most Ohio residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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