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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
California
106.1
Ohio
93.7
Ohio has 12% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Ohio
98.9
Ohio has 2.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
35.3 ¢/kWh
Ohio
19.5 ¢/kWh
Ohio has 45% 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
$2,104/mo
Ohio
$1,090/mo
Ohio is 48% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (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
56
Ohio
64
Ohio has 14% higher AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
California
302
Ohio
0
Ohio has 100% lower felt earthquakes
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, and a 90-day move 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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