Bellefontaine, OH vs Lancaster, OH

Bellefontaine is moderately more affordable than Lancaster, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Bellefontaine scores 71 compared to 78 for Lancaster, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lancaster can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellefontaine is $836/month compared to $999/month in Lancaster — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellefontaine is more affordable at $163,500 median vs $180,200.

Median household income in Bellefontaine is $60,296 compared to $54,901 in Lancaster (+9.8%). Bellefontaine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellefontaine spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in Lancaster.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 52.2°F). Lancaster receives more rainfall at 40.3" per year compared to 35.8" in Bellefontaine.