salaryRent is lower than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,800 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Ohio. It is number 68 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Oberlin?
Share of households by yearly income. 29.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Oberlin
| Size | Oberlin | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $978 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,291 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,719 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Oberlin overall?
Everyday prices in Ohio overall are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Oberlin, so the Ohio figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Oberlin
Life in Oberlin
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Oberlin?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $520 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $225,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,560 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Oberlin, OH?
Renting in Oberlin costs a median of about $1,045 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.
How much do I need to make to live in Oberlin?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,800 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Oberlin cheap or expensive?
Oberlin is rated Cheap: rent takes 14.3% of the typical household income of $87,691. It ranks 68th cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Oberlin?
The median homeowner in Oberlin pays $2,936 a year in property taxes, about 1.30% of the median home value.
Is Oberlin more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Ohio are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Oberlin?
The median home value in Oberlin is $225,600, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
8,329 people live in Oberlin. Numbers are typical (middle) values.