Cost of Living in Lorain 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 Lorain County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lorain County ranks #2,296 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 27%)
Sourced county brief
Official Rent-to-Income Percentage in Lorain County Reaches 28.8%
The official gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Lorain County was 28.8%, according to ACS table B25071. This official estimate is 1.9 percentage points higher than the Ohio unweighted county mean of 26.9%. Median gross rent was $966 per month, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $904. The median home value for owner-occupied units was estimated at $223,200, while the state unweighted mean was $196,325. Median selected monthly owner costs were $1,146 per month. Renter-occupied households had a median income of $40,357. These statistics are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 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: Lorain County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.8% of renter household income in Lorain 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 $966 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,146. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $38,640 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. Lorain County's $966 median is 6.9% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lorain County
Rent Burden
15.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,711
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.7%
of gross income
The median home in Lorain County may be a stretch
Median home value is $223,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,782 vs. your max of $1,711.
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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