Kettering, OH vs Lancaster, OH

Kettering, OH and Lancaster, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Kettering scores 78 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 Kettering is $983/month compared to $999/month in Lancaster — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kettering has cheaper rent, Lancaster actually has lower median home values ($180,200 vs $192,500).

Median household income in Kettering is $71,619 compared to $54,901 in Lancaster (+30.5%). Kettering offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kettering spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in Lancaster.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.1°F vs 52.2°F). Kettering receives more rainfall at 41" per year compared to 40.3" in Lancaster.