Cost of Living in Lorain, OH (2026)
Updated Jun 2026 (3 months ago) · Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Energy Information Administration
Key facts
- Rent (1-bedroom)
- $660/month
- U.S. Census Bureau · 2024-12-31
- Median household income
- $48,685
- U.S. Census Bureau · 2024-12-31
- Regional price parity
- 92.8 (below national average)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024-12-31
- Utilities (monthly)
- $173/month
- U.S. Energy Information Administration · 2026-06-30
- Rent burden (of income)
- 16% (affordable)
- Derived from Census + HUD threshold · 2024-12-31
Can you afford this city?
- Groceries (est.)
- $384
- Monthly surplus
- $2,533
Salary needed to live here
- Gross per month
- $2,739
- Comfortable budget
- $1,917
Lorain, OH vs the US average
| Metric | Value | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
Median household income (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $48,685 | -37% vs US |
Median home value (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $139,200 | -59% vs US |
Rent (1BR) (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $660 | -49% vs US |
Rent (2BR) (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $867 | -41% vs US |
Grocery cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities, Dec 2024) | 93.7 | -6% vs US |
Utilities (monthly) (EIA Electricity Retail Sales, Jun 2026) | $173 | -16% vs US |
Cost breakdown vs US average
What it costs to live in Lorain
At $660 per month for a one-bedroom, Lorain sits well below the national median of $1,300 (49% less). The median household income here is $48,685, and a one-bedroom lease absorbs about 16% of that — leaving room under the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $139,200 is about 2.9× median income, under the 3× rule of thumb that signals affordable ownership. That's 59% below the U.S. median of $340,200. Use the calculator above to see how far your income goes, with rent and utilities prefilled from the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
Buying a home in Lorain?
Mortgage payment calculator
- Principal & interest
- $2,108
- Total interest
- $438,707
Estimate only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures are illustrative and may not reflect your situation. Consult a qualified professional.
Cite this page
CostAlmanac US, *Lorain, OH — Cost of Living*, https://costalmanac.com/cost-of-living/lorain-oh
Data from U.S. government sources. See methodology for how every number is computed.