SHOULD I MOVE TO OHIO?
Ohio, also known as the Buckeye state, is a popular relocation destination due to a variety of reasons. Ohio is not just a flyover state. Though recent data shows that more people are leaving Ohio than arriving, that doesn’t mean that Ohio is not a worthwhile place to live. Rather, Ohio is an affordable and family friendly state with excellent healthcare resources, an exciting sports culture and tax-friendly policies. We believe in providing a fair assessment to help you navigate any of your questions regarding moving to Ohio. So without further ado: Should I move to Ohio?
Below you will find a list of pros and cons to help you decide whether relocating to Ohio is the right next move for you.
SHOULD I MOVE TO OHIO? REASONS TO MOVE TO OHIO
Here are some of the top reasons to help convince you if you are wondering ‘Should I move to Ohio?”
LOW COST OF LIVING
Perhaps the most appealing part of life in Ohio is the affordability. With rising levels of inflation, and a looming cost of living crisis, saving money has never been more critical. Ohio is a very cheap place to live when it comes to groceries, rent and other day to day essentials. The cost of living in Ohio is 9% cheaper than the national average with housing costs being up to 20% cheaper. To survive in Ohio, you can do so comfortably on $1800 a month. In some American cities, that would barely cover rent. Perhaps, one of the main draws of moving to Ohio is to save some money.
MANY CITIES TO CHOOSE FROM
Though the largest city by population is Columbus (at 905,000 people), there are a number of other vibrant, smaller, cities in Ohio. Every city in Ohio is different, but you can surely find one that suits your lifestyle.
Columbus is known for its hip art crowd and up and coming tech scene. Columbus is also famous for its Legoland, small breweries and delicious tacos.
However, if you are looking for a smaller city, there are plenty to choose from in Ohio. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, Toledo are smaller, yet still robust urban locales with plenty of restaurants, bars and job opportunities.
JOBS & ECONOMY
Ohio has a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.5% and a growing economy. In fact, Ohio added more than 99,000 private sector jobs in the last year. Ohio also has a fair minimum wage of $10.10 an hour, with the average hourly wage at $22.
ALL FOUR SEASONS
Ohio is a perfect state for those who love the change of seasons. Ohio has scorching hot summers and snowy winters, with leafy autumns and beautiful springs in between. Obviously, weather preferences can vary, but the seasonal climate of Ohio is a huge draw for those who love to live in a humid continental climate.
LOWER TAXES
Though Ohio is not one of the U.S states that charge no income tax, Ohio’s tax brackets are quite reasonable. The state income tax ranges from 2.765-3.99%. Moreover, the statewide sales tax rate is rather low at 5.75%.
GOOD HIGHER EDUCATION
Go buckeyes! Ohio is home to some excellent universities like Ohio State University, Ohio University, Case Western and Miami University. There are dozens of higher education options to choose from for all kinds of students. Whether you are interested in sports, tech, engineering, music or literature, there is a university in Ohio for you. In fact, Ohio is home to many liberal arts colleges like Kenyon and Oberlin.
UNIQUE OHIO FOODS
It may be news to you, but Ohio actually has some interesting and unique foods. From sausage dishes, to delicious burgers, to sweet pies, to local wild fruits, Ohio has many iconic food staples of its own.
SHORT COMMUTE TIME
Ohio is a great place for those who hate commuting! The average commute in Ohio is 23.5 minutes, which is lower than the national average at 26.4 minutes. So, if you hate spending hours sitting in traffic, perhaps, a move to Ohio may be the right choice for you.
NATURE
Ohio is home to many beautiful natural attractions like the Ohio River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Lake Erie and many other nature preserves. Though Ohio does not have any of its own mountain ranges, there are still plenty of outdoor activities available for all nature lovers.
REASONS NOT TO MOVE TO OHIO: WHY ARE PEOPLE LEAVING OHIO?
While there are dozens of reasons for moving to Ohio, there are also many reasons why people are leaving the state and going elsewhere.
CLOSURE OF MANUFACTURING PLANTS
In 2019, GM shut its plant in Lordstown, Ohio which led to a huge loss of jobs and exodus from the state. Aside from GM, in recent years, many other steel mills and aluminum wheel plants in Ohio have been closing, or shrinking in size, leading to fewer and fewer jobs in those fields.
VERY COLD WINTERS
Ohio gets really snowy and cold in the winter, which is not the most exciting place to live if you don’t like winter. You may have to spend a good portion of the year digging your car out of the snow. Ohio also doesn’t have much of a mountain range, so the snow does not necessarily mean a ski trip!
YOU DON’T LIKE FOOTBALL
Football culture in Ohio is very rampant, which means that if you don’t like football, you may find yourself feeling a bit alienated from the dominant sports culture in Ohio.
LOTS OF DRIVING
Ohio does not have much public transportation, which means that driving is the best way to get around. If you are not a fan of driving, you may not like living in Ohio. In order to live in Ohio, you will most likely need a car and car insurance.
READY TO MOVE TO OHIO?
So, if you have read through our list and are still interested in moving to Ohio, don’t hesitate to contact us and request a free quote. USA Preferred Movers is a professional moving company with over 40 years of experience. Our Ohio Movers are the best in the business. We offer long distance moving, local moves, storage and more.