Last update: Oct 2026 United States 35.9K

Cost of Living in Lima, OH

For one person, living costs in Lima, OH are estimated at $2,594 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $37 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lima, OH

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lima, OH actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $2,594 monthly including rent, or $1,112 excluding housing.

$2,594 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,690 with rent, or $1,923 without housing.

$3,690 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,785 including rent, or $2,734 for daily expenses alone.

$4,785 /mo
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.30 $22.30
$15.21 $15.21
$65.9 $65.9
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.3 $77.3
$59.9 $59.9
$110 $110
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.17 $12.17
$10.14 $10.14
$12.17 $12.17
Cappuccino
$5.53 $5.53
$2.57 $2.57
$9.24 $9.24
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.03 $2.03
$4.05 $4.05
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.49 $1.49
$2.98 $2.98
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.98 $5.98
$3.99 $3.99
$7.97 $7.97
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.96 $6.96
$6.96 $6.96
$9.94 $9.94
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.55 $0.55
$0.55 $0.55
$1.09 $1.09
White Bread (500g)
$3.18 $3.18
$2.21 $2.21
$4.44 $4.44
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.36 $5.36
$2.26 $2.26
$9.08 $9.08
Eggs
$3.02 $3.02
$2.22 $2.22
$7.06 $7.06
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.76 $8.76
$8.76 $8.76
$39.71 $39.71
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.63 $14.63
$6.52 $6.52
$26.16 $26.16
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.92 $15.92
$11.00 $11.00
$19.79 $19.79
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.16 $2.16
$10.81 $10.81
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.99 $0.99
$4.51 $4.51
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$2.26 $2.26
$9.07 $9.07
Tomato (1kg)
$4.39 $4.39
$2.19 $2.19
$5.48 $5.48
Potato (1kg)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.26 $2.26
$4.53 $4.53
Onion (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.98 $1.98
$6.66 $6.66
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.95 $1.95
$2.43 $2.43
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.01 $1.01
$3.23 $3.23
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.99 $9.99
$9.64 $9.64
$13.07 $13.07
Wine (Bottle)
$16.61 $16.61
$12.23 $12.23
$20.39 $20.39
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.16 $2.16
$1.80 $1.80
$2.52 $2.52
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.54 $1.54
$3.86 $3.86
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$0.98 $0.98
$1.97 $1.97
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.37 $42.37
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.96 $2.96
$2.96 $2.96
$2.96 $2.96
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.24 $1.24
$1.24 $1.24
$1.51 $1.51
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.59 $26.59
$26.59 $26.59
$26.59 $26.59
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$0.74 $0.74
$1.25 $1.25
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.7K $30.7K
$27.1K $27.1K
$35.5K $35.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K $23.7K
$23.7K $23.7K
$26.5K $26.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$225 $225
$126 $126
$505 $505
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.9 $67.9
$30.58 $30.58
$153 $153
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.9 $66.9
$49.35 $49.35
$98.7 $98.7
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.23 $42.23
$25.34 $25.34
$50.7 $50.7
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$47.94 $47.94
$35.33 $35.33
$60.6 $60.6
Cinema Ticket
$13.05 $13.05
$11.57 $11.57
$24.62 $24.62
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,615 $1,615
$1,115 $1,115
$2,172 $2,172
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$34.3K $34.3K
$34.3K $34.3K
$34.3K $34.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.6 $50.6
$40.66 $40.66
$55.4 $55.4
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.69 $40.69
$29.52 $29.52
$68.9 $68.9
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.6 $82.6
$50.8 $50.8
$152 $152
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 $110
$60.7 $60.7
$162 $162
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,278 $1,278
$769 $769
$1,977 $1,977
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 $1,257
$754 $754
$1,508 $1,508
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,211 $2,211
$1,244 $1,244
$3,558 $3,558
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,826 $1,826
$1,035 $1,035
$2,525 $2,525
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,393 $1,393
$1,377 $1,377
$1,410 $1,410
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,402 $1,402
$1,385 $1,385
$1,418 $1,418
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,089 $5,089
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
5.7
9.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Lima, OH $2,594
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$378
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$360
Eating Out
$343
Clothing & Footwear
$128
Sport & Entertainment
$68
Getting Around
$59

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,278 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,257 outside the center. At 25% of the average salary ($5,089), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $5,089, while typical expenses reach $2,594. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $378 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $77.0 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $42.37 per month.

Cost Highlights

Lima, OH has the 2nd cheapest milk in North America

Gasoline is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America

Imported beer is cheaper than 91% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
01:21 1:21 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
35,868
💱 Currency
📈 Exchange rate
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

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Lima, OH Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Lima, OH - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lima, OH affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with larger cities?
Lima, OH tends to offer a practical balance of costs for a small city: not as expensive as major metros, yet with more amenities than rural towns. You’ll find flexible housing options and a range of dining and groceries that help keep daily expenses predictable. For short stays or longer work setups, the pace and community atmosphere can support budgeting and routine. Understanding Cost of Living in Lima, OH helps you map where your money goes and where you may want to allocate a little more for convenience. Tip: Start with a one-week budget test to see what fits your schedule before committing.
What does daily life look like in Lima, OH for housing, food, transport, and coworking?
Lima, OH offers a range of housing options, from compact downtown apartments to quiet single-family homes in nearby neighborhoods, with flexible leases common in many buildings. Groceries and casual dining are generally affordable, and you can mix local markets with familiar chains to keep costs steady. Transport works well with a car or bike, while rideshares fill gaps when needed; walking the riverfront and park areas is pleasant in good weather. For digital nomads, cafes and small coworking spots provide reliable Wi‑Fi. Lima, OH living cost is a useful benchmark as you plan. Tip: Group errands by neighborhood to save time and fuel.
How can you gauge quality of life and budget effectively to match your lifestyle in Lima, OH, including neighborhoods and seasonality?
Quality of life in Lima, OH comes from a mix of accessible services, community events, and outdoor opportunities. To budget well, use a simple framework: lock in housing first, then allocate for utilities with seasonal flex (heating in winter, cooling in shoulder months), groceries, and occasional dining. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: downtown and riverfront areas suit walkers and social spots, while suburbs offer quieter streets and parks. Seasonality affects activities, so plan outdoor time and bulk purchases around growing seasons. Tip: try a month-by-month plan and adjust as you learn what works.
Is Lima, OH affordable on an average income?
Everyday life in Lima, OH is moderately priced at about $2,594 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is rent in Lima, OH too high relative to local incomes?
With 25% of the average paycheck going to rent, Lima, OH is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Lima, OH?
Earning $3,891 monthly in Lima, OH means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the rental price range for apartments in Lima, OH?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Lima, OH range from $1,257 to $1,278, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
Is public transport affordable in Lima, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Lima, OH runs about $42.37, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What should I budget for groceries in Lima, OH?
At about $378 monthly, food costs in Lima, OH sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Lima, OH?
Living on $3,000 in Lima, OH means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,594. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Why do remote workers choose Lima, OH?
Lima, OH draws remote workers with fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, and at around $2,594 per month all-in, the price-to-lifestyle ratio is hard to beat. A growing international community makes networking and social life easy for newcomers.
How much can you save per month in Lima, OH?
Monthly expenses in Lima, OH run around $2,594, so putting money aside takes more than $3,891 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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