Kettering, OH vs Wooster, OH

Kettering, OH and Wooster, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Kettering scores 78 while Wooster scores 75 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 $882/month in Wooster — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wooster has cheaper rent, Kettering actually has lower median home values ($192,500 vs $198,400).

Median household income in Kettering is $71,619 compared to $65,888 in Wooster (+8.7%). While Kettering 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 16.1% in Wooster.