The 45638 zip code in Ironton tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Ohio.
We looked at 365 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Ohio
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ironton 🥇 | 100.0 | $114,107 | $1,446 |
| 2 | East Liverpool 🥈 | 99.8 | $103,059 | $1,446 |
| 3 | Saint Clairsville 🥉 | 96.8 | $203,131 | $1,446 |
| 4 | Jackson | 96.3 | $176,006 | $1,446 |
| 5 | Lisbon | 94.5 | $164,789 | $1,446 |
| 6 | Steubenville | 94.4 | $171,372 | $1,446 |
| 7 | Marietta | 91.6 | $185,609 | $1,446 |
| 8 | South Point | 91.5 | $158,196 | $1,446 |
| 9 | Toledo | 90.8 | $156,540 | $1,054 |
| 10 | Alliance | 90.6 | $157,975 | $943 |
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1. Ironton
Here's why the 45638 zip code in Ironton is Ohio's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Ironton
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $114,107[1] | No. 27 | -$151,773.14 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.2 | No. 13 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.2%[2] | No. 16 | -18.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.2%[3] | No. 3 | -2.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[4] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $52,728[5] | No. 303 | -$24,343 |
| Property taxes | $1,091[6] | No. 9 | -$2,337 |
| Energy costs | $0.17 kWh[7] | No. 359 | $0.04 |
Ironton's 45638 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Ohio, leading the 365 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $114,107, making it the 27th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -1.2% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,446 per month, which is the 110th cheapest amount in Ohio.
The median property tax for homeowners in Ironton is $1,091 per household, the No. 9 ranked market in Ohio.
Residents pay $0.17 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 359 among Ohio markets.
2. East Liverpool
The 43920 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Ohio.
🔎 Key data about East Liverpool
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 99.8 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $103,059[8] | No. 22 | -$162,821.33 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.1 | No. 9 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 10.9%[9] | No. 11 | -23.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.2%[10] | No. 8 | -1.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[11] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $50,251[12] | No. 315 | -$26,820 |
| Property taxes | $1,478[13] | No. 39 | -$1,950 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[14] | No. 277 | $0.01 |
East Liverpool's 43920 zip code has a median home value of $103,059, which is the 8th-cheapest housing market in Ohio. You can rent for an average of $1,446 per month. That's the 123rd-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $50,251, which ranks 315th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in East Liverpool pay a median property tax of $1,478 per year, making it the 39th-most affordable market in Ohio.
East Liverpool ranks No. 277 among Ohio energy markets. You'll pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
3. Saint Clairsville
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Ohio is Saint Clairsville's 43950 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Saint Clairsville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.8 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $203,131[15] | No. 132 | -$62,748.94 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 43 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 21.7%[16] | No. 24 | -12.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.2%[17] | No. 2 | -3.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[18] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $76,175[19] | No. 149 | -$896 |
| Property taxes | $2,007[20] | No. 101 | -$1,421 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[21] | No. 327 | $0.02 |
The No. 132 cheapest housing market in Ohio is Saint Clairsville's 43950 zip code, with a median home value of $203,131. Rents in the market average $1,446 per month, making it the 123rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Saint Clairsville is $2,007, which makes it the 101st-cheapest place in Ohio. Saint Clairsville ranks No. 327 among Ohio markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
4. Jackson
The 45640 zip code in Jackson comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Ohio.
🔎 Key data about Jackson
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.3 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $176,006[22] | No. 83 | -$89,873.67 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 93 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.4%[23] | No. 17 | -18.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.7%[24] | No. 1 | -3.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[25] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $59,566[26] | No. 266 | -$17,505 |
| Property taxes | $1,496[27] | No. 41 | -$1,932 |
| Energy costs | $0.17 kWh[28] | No. 359 | $0.04 |
The No. 83 cheapest housing market in Ohio is Jackson's 45640 zip code, where the median home value is $176,006. Renters here pay an average of $1,446 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Jackson ranks 359th among Ohio markets. Residents pay $0.17 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $1,496, which makes it the 41st-cheapest market in Ohio.
5. Lisbon
The 44432 zip code in Lisbon ranks No. 5 among Ohio's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Lisbon
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.5 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $164,789[29] | No. 66 | -$101,090.52 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 51 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 24.5%[30] | No. 29 | -9.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.2%[31] | No. 8 | -1.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[32] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $61,125[33] | No. 254 | -$15,946 |
| Property taxes | $1,581[34] | No. 50 | -$1,847 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[35] | No. 277 | $0.01 |
Lisbon's 44432 zip code has a median home value of $164,789, the 66th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.2% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Lisbon is $1,581. It's the 50th-cheapest market by tax rate in Ohio.
6. Steubenville
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Ohio is the 43953 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Steubenville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.4 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $171,372[36] | No. 79 | -$94,507.88 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.3 | No. 23 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 27.9%[37] | No. 44 | -6.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.2%[38] | No. 8 | -1.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[39] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $74,107[40] | No. 165 | -$2,964 |
| Property taxes | $1,617[41] | No. 54 | -$1,811 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[42] | No. 333 | $0.02 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Steubenville's 43953 zip code, which has the 79th-cheapest home values in Ohio. The median home value is $171,372. Rents average $1,446 per month, making it the 123rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity. It's the 333rd-cheapest energy market.
7. Marietta
Marietta's 45750 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Ohio.
🔎 Key data about Marietta
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.6 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $185,609[43] | No. 103 | -$80,270.82 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 134 | -0.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 24.8%[44] | No. 30 | -9.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.4%[45] | No. 6 | -1.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[46] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $60,229[47] | No. 259 | -$16,842 |
| Property taxes | $1,755[48] | No. 78 | -$1,673 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[49] | No. 233 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 103rd-cheapest home values in Ohio in Marietta's 45750 zip code. The median value: $185,609. Renters in Marietta pay an average of $1,446 per month.
Homeowners in Marietta pay a median property tax of $1,755 per year, which is Ohio's 78th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $60,229, which ranks 259th-highest in the state.
8. South Point
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Ohio is South Point's 45680 zip code.
🔎 Key data about South Point
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.5 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $158,196[50] | No. 64 | -$107,683.68 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9 | No. 88 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 27.9%[51] | No. 43 | -6.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.0%[52] | No. 4 | -2.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,446[53] | No. 123 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.88% | No. 110 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $54,523[54] | No. 290 | -$22,548 |
| Property taxes | $1,521[55] | No. 45 | -$1,907 |
| Energy costs | $0.17 kWh[56] | No. 359 | $0.04 |
The 64th-cheapest housing market in Ohio is South Point's 45680 zip code, with a median home value of $158,196. Renters pay an average of $1,446 per month, the No. 123 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in South Point is $1,521, which makes it the 45th-cheapest place in Ohio. The average household income of $54,523 ranks 290th.
9. Toledo
Toledo's 43613 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Ohio's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Toledo
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.8 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $156,540[57] | No. 59 | -$109,339.57 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.4 | No. 31 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.0%[58] | No. 291 | 5.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.6%[59] | No. 89 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,054[60] | No. 30 | -$392 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.64% | No. 53 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $64,384[61] | No. 225 | -$12,687 |
| Property taxes | $2,444[62] | No. 144 | -$984 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[63] | No. 176 | $0.00 |
The 59th-cheapest housing market in Ohio is Toledo's 43613 zip code, where the median home value is $156,540. Renters pay an average of $1,054 per month. It's the state's 30th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $2,444, which makes it the 144th-cheapest property tax rate in Ohio.
10. Alliance
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Ohio goes to the 44601 zip code in Alliance.
🔎 Key data about Alliance
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 365 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.6 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $157,975[64] | No. 62 | -$107,905.02 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 36 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 37.5%[65] | No. 227 | 3.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.8%[66] | No. 321 | 0.8% |
| Rental costs | $943[67] | No. 11 | -$503 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.52% | No. 34 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $61,965[68] | No. 245 | -$15,106 |
| Property taxes | $1,449[69] | No. 34 | -$1,979 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[70] | No. 277 | $0.01 |
The 62nd-most affordable market in Ohio is Alliance's 44601 zip code. The median home value is $157,975. Rent in the market costs $943 per month on average, making it the 11th-most affordable rental market in Ohio.
The median property tax for households in Alliance is $1,449, which is the 34th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Alliance ranks No. 277 among Ohio markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Ohio
We evaluated 365 zip codes in Ohio with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Ohio, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Ohio average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Ohio average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
