Cost of Living in Brown County, Ohio
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Brown County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Brown County ranks #1,630 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 48%)
Sourced county brief
Brown County Median Home Value Estimated at $196,200
Brown County’s median home value was estimated at $196,200, which nearly matches the Ohio unweighted county mean of $196,325. For the renter-occupied population, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.8%, which is 1.9 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent was $817 per month, which sits below the state unweighted county mean of $904. Median renter-household income was recorded at $33,219 for the 2020-2024 period. Owner-occupied housing showed median selected monthly owner costs of $959, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $974. All data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Brown County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.8% of renter household income in Brown County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $817 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $959. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,680 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Ohio unweighted mean of county median rents is $904 per month. Brown County's $817 median is 9.6% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Brown County
Rent Burden
13.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,663
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Brown County
Median home value is $196,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,566 vs. your max of $1,663.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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