Bellefontaine, OH vs Upper Arlington, OH

The cost of living difference between Bellefontaine, OH and Upper Arlington, OH is dramatic. Bellefontaine is 43.1% cheaper than Upper Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellefontaine has a cost index of 71 while Upper Arlington sits at 125, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellefontaine is $836/month compared to $1,480/month in Upper Arlington — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellefontaine is more affordable at $163,500 median vs $568,200.

Median household income in Bellefontaine is $60,296 compared to $150,993 in Upper Arlington (-60.1%). While Upper Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellefontaine spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Upper Arlington.