Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Delaware, Ohio

Historic Sandusky Street in downtown Delaware, Ohio.
Photo by JBTHEMILKER via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Delaware costs

A central Ohio budget needs heating, weather, and care costs

Census figures place median home value at $318,400, median rent at $1,286, and median household income at $99,786. These are citywide benchmarks rather than a complete retirement budget.

Add taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, cooling, roof, gutters, snow, drainage, repairs, transport, prescriptions, care, and the cost of a home near Grady Memorial, downtown, parks, and the library.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $3,007 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$963
Utilities (in rent)
$268
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,189

Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,666

Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$963

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$227/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
High
Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
9.3%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
29.0%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
35.9%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$66,789

Could Delaware fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$3,007 per month
Two people
$4,666 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$963
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Delaware in everyday life

Could Delaware work for you?

What may work well

  • Census provides city-level housing and income benchmarks.
  • Hospital, parks, trails, library, downtown, and transit provide identifiable resources.

What to think about

  • Heating, cooling, snow, insurance, drainage, transport, and regional care are not included in a simple median.
  • Older homes and flood or storm exposure can change the practical budget.

Price a Delaware household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, cooling, repairs, snow, drainage, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price Grady Memorial, primary care, pharmacy, groceries, transit, and regional specialists.

  3. Reserve for weather

    Keep room for heating, cooling, roof work, drainage, snow, ice, power, and a ride after severe weather.

Questions retirees ask

Is the median home value a retirement budget?

No. Add taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, cooling, repairs, snow, flood, care, and transportation to the citywide benchmark.

Why do Delaware homes have different budgets?

Taxes, insurance, flood, drainage, utilities, repairs, snow, service distance, transit, and care vary by address.

Delaware affordability depends on the actual home, four-season carrying costs, the care route, transport, and the services you use each week.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.