Kettering, OH vs Upper Arlington, OH

The cost of living difference between Kettering, OH and Upper Arlington, OH is dramatic. Kettering is 37.5% cheaper than Upper Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kettering has a cost index of 78 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 Kettering is $983/month compared to $1,480/month in Upper Arlington — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kettering is more affordable at $192,500 median vs $568,200.

Median household income in Kettering is $71,619 compared to $150,993 in Upper Arlington (-52.6%). 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 Kettering spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in Upper Arlington.