Hamilton, OH vs Lancaster, OH

Hamilton, OH and Lancaster, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Hamilton scores 75 while Lancaster scores 78 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hamilton is $974/month compared to $999/month in Lancaster — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hamilton is more affordable at $152,300 median vs $180,200.

Median household income in Hamilton is $54,293 compared to $54,901 in Lancaster (-1.1%). Lancaster does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hamilton spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in Lancaster.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 52.2°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 41.4" per year compared to 40.3" in Lancaster.