Portage, OH vs West Salem, OH

Portage, OH and West Salem, OH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Portage scores 67 while West Salem scores 66 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 Portage is $845/month compared to $770/month in West Salem — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Salem has cheaper rent, Portage actually has lower median home values ($113,800 vs $123,000).

Median household income in Portage is $54,175 compared to $57,917 in West Salem (-6.5%). West Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Portage spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in West Salem.