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How Much House Can I Afford in Youngstown, OH?

TL;DR

Housing: $168,082 median home, $1,042/mo/mo median rent, PITI ~$1,255/mo (9% down, 6.30% PMMS). Income: $55,357 median household; rent burden 22.6% (within 30% guideline). Taxes: 1.60% effective property tax rate → ~$2,689 annual bill. Cost of living: BEA RPP index 78 (national baseline = 100); estimated annual commute cost ~$3,832. Context: unemployment 6.0%; job market led by Ohio state industries.

Source: Zillow ZHVI · Census ACS · Freddie Mac PMMS · NAIC homeowners, 2026-04-19

The median home price in Youngstown is $168,082, while the median household income is $55,357 per year. Using the 30% debt-to-income rule with a 6.36% (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of May 14, 2026) mortgage rate, 20% down, and $1,010/yr Ohio homeowners insurance, the typical household can afford the median home, with monthly PITI of $1,146 well within budget. On the median income, you can afford a home up to approximately $206,000.

Youngstown's cost of living index is 78 (national average = 100). The price-to-income ratio of 3.0x suggests a relatively affordable market compared to national standards. The local property tax rate is 1.6%, adding $2,689/yr to ownership costs.

The median home value in Youngstown is $168,082 (Zillow ZHVI), with median monthly rent running $1,042/mo. Monthly PITI on the median home — assuming 9% down at the 6.30% PMMS rate — runs about $1,255/mo. Median household income in Youngstown is $55,357 — PITI consumes ~27.2% of gross annual income. Youngstown's price-to-rent ratio (13.4x) tilts toward buying over renting — the national benchmark is ~16x. Youngstown's cost-of-living index is 78, 22 points below the national baseline of 100 (BEA RPP).

Written by Jere Salmisto, Founder & Quantitative Systems Builder, CalcFi·Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial·How we verify →
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$168,082
Median Home Price
$55,357
Median Income
1.6%
Property Tax Rate
78
COL Index

Data as of Apr 2026 · Sources: Zillow, Census ACS, Tax Foundation, Freddie Mac

See exactly what $X/mo PITI does to your Youngstown, OH take-home — open the calc with city defaults.

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Find the max home price you qualify for in Youngstown, OH given real PITI + DTI rules.

Income Needed to Buy a Home in Youngstown

Based on 20% down, 6.4% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of May 14, 2026), and the 30% DTI rule. Includes principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and PMI where applicable.

Home PriceIncome NeededMonthly PITIDown Payment
$168,082 *$45,840$1,146/mo$33,616
$200,000$53,880$1,347/mo$40,000
$300,000$79,160$1,979/mo$60,000
$500,000$129,680$3,242/mo$100,000
$750,000$192,880$4,822/mo$150,000

* Youngstown median home price. Assumes 1.6% property tax, $1,010/yr Ohiohomeowner's insurance (NAIC).

How Long to Save a 20% Down Payment in Youngstown

Saving for $33,616 (20% of $168,082) on the median household income of $55,357.

Save 10% of Income
6.1
years
$5,536/yr saved
Save 15% of Income
4.0
years
$8,304/yr saved
Save 20% of Income
3.0
years
$11,071/yr saved

At a 15% savings rate, the typical Youngstown household can accumulate a 20% down payment in 4.0 years — well within reach for most disciplined savers.

Monthly Mortgage Cost Breakdown in Youngstown

PITI breakdown for the median home ($168,082) at different down payment amounts.

Down PaymentPrincipalInterestTaxesInsurancePMITotal PITI
3.5% ($5,883)$151$860$224$84$68$1,386/mo
5.0% ($8,404)$148$846$224$84$67$1,369/mo
10.0% ($16,808)$141$802$224$84$63$1,314/mo
20.0% ($33,616)$125$713$224$84$0$1,146/mo

Based on 6.4% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of May 14, 2026), 1.6% property tax, $1,010/yr Ohio homeowners insurance (NAIC). PMI at 0.5% of loan balance for down payments below 20%.

Rent vs. Buy Analysis in Youngstown

Comparing median rent of $1,042/mo to owning the median home ($168,082) with 20% down.

Monthly Rent
$1,042
Monthly PITI (Own)
$1,146
Breakeven Year
Year 2

5-Year Cost Comparison

Total Rent (5 years, 3% annual increase)$66,385
Total Ownership Cost (5 years incl. down + closing)$107,419
Estimated Equity After 5 Years$65,163
Net Cost of Owning (cost minus equity)$42,256

Verdict: Buying is favorable within 2 years in Youngstown. Owning costs $104/mo more than renting, but builds equity over time.

Nearby Cities by Affordability

Compared by price-to-income ratio (lower is more affordable). All data uses median home prices and household incomes.

CityMedian HomeMedian IncomePrice/IncomeProperty Tax
Youngstown, OH$168,082$55,3573.0x1.6%
Akron, OH$155,000$50,8003.1x1.6%
Dayton, OH$170,000$54,6003.1x1.6%
Cleveland, OH$175,000$52,6003.3x1.6%
Cincinnati, OH$235,000$65,6003.6x1.6%
Columbus, OH$265,000$64,6004.1x1.6%

Local context: Youngstown, OH

Housing economics in Youngstown, OH. The median home value runs 53.0% below the U.S. baseline for Youngstown, OH is $168,082 per Zillow's home-value index. Median rent runs $1,042 a month per Zillow ZORI, cheaper than the national $1,850 baseline. Effective property tax sits at 1.60% of assessed value, meaningfully higher than the 0.99% national average tracked by the Tax Foundation.

Income and tax climate. Median household income in Youngstown, OH reaches $55,357 per the ACS five-year vintage, trailing the $78,538 U.S. median. OH's top marginal state income tax bracket lands at 3.50% — compared to the volume-weighted national average around 4-5%. BEA's Regional Price Parity scores Youngstown, OH at 78.0 (national = 100), meaning a dollar in Youngstown, OH buys 128¢ — more goods and services than the same dollar nationally.

Local context as of 2026-04-19.

Youngstown, OH versus the U.S. baseline

MetricYoungstown, OHU.S. baselineDifference
Median home value[zillow]$168,082$358,000-53.0%
Median monthly rent[zillow]$1,042/mo$1,850/mo-43.7%
Property tax rate (effective)[tax-foundation]1.60%0.99%61.6%
Cost-of-living index[bea-rpp]78.0100.0-22.0 pts

How to use the Home Affordability Calculator

Walk through the home-affordability check with Youngstown, OH defaults pre-loaded from primary sources.

  1. Pre-fill with local dataEach calculator on this page loads with state- or city-specific defaults pulled live from primary sources (FRED, BLS, Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, IRS, BEA). The blue values shown next to each input are the local averages so you can see how your scenario compares to the typical case before changing anything.
  2. Override the inputs you controlChange any field to model your actual situation. The math reruns in your browser the moment you change a value — no signup, no API call, no data transmission. Hover over the small (i) icon next to each label to see the formula that field feeds and where the default came from.
  3. Read the derived valuesThe result panel shows the primary calculation (monthly payment, take-home pay, savings projection, etc.) plus the intermediate values that drive it. Each line item is labeled with the formula component it represents so you can verify the arithmetic against any agency publication, textbook, or competing calculator.
  4. Adjust assumptions and re-runMost calculators have a section for assumption inputs that are easy to overlook — annual raises, expected return, inflation, vacancy rate, depreciation schedule, marginal vs. effective tax treatment. The defaults are conservative; aggressive scenarios usually require explicit overrides.
  5. Save to "My Numbers"When the inputs match your reality, click Save to "My Numbers". The values persist to your device's local storage (IndexedDB) and reload automatically on your next visit. Nothing is transmitted to any CalcFi server — the saved-state feature is deliberately client-side only for privacy.
  6. Compare scenarios side by sideMost calculators offer a comparison view that shows two or more scenarios side by side. Use this to model decision points: 15-year vs 30-year mortgage, Roth vs Traditional IRA, salary vs hourly, lease vs buy. The comparison view also produces a shareable summary you can download as PNG or PDF.

First-Time Buyer Programs in Ohio

If the $33,616 20%-down target in Youngstown feels out of reach, Ohio's housing finance agency runs assistance programs that can cut the up-front cash requirement, the rate, or both. Eligibility varies — confirm directly with the program administrator.

  • OHFA Your Choice DPA
  • Grants for Grads
  • Ohio Heroes

Source: Ohio Housing Finance Agency program inventory (NAIC + state agency feeds).

Affordability Signals for Youngstown

Buy vs rent in Youngstown

Monthly PITI on the $168,082 median home in Youngstown is ~$1,255/mo — vs a $1,042/mo median rent. Rent burden on median household income is 22.6%, which falls within the recommended 30% guideline for housing costs.

Affordability gap in Youngstown

At the $55,357 median income and a 28% DTI ceiling, a median household can absorb ~$1,292/mo in housing. Qualifying for the median home requires roughly $53,786 in annual income; approximately 659% of median-income households fall below that threshold.

Property tax in Youngstown

Youngstown's effective property tax rate is 1.60%, producing a ~$2,689 annual bill on the median home — below the state median bill of $3,510 and the 1.07% national average.

Housing market context

Youngstown's cost-of-living index of 78 (BEA RPP) reflects a more affordable market than the national average. Inventory and pricing conditions track Ohio statewide patterns. Methodology note: city-level market velocity data is not yet integrated for this city; state-level Ohio benchmarks are used as a proxy.

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More Youngstown Resources

Cost of Living — YoungstownProperty Tax CalculatorYoungstown vs. Akron COLYoungstown vs. Dayton COLSalary Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home price in Youngstown, OH?

The median home price in Youngstown is $168,082 (Zillow ZHVI, 2026-04-19). The city's cost of living index is 78 (national average = 100), and the median household income is $55,357.

How much income do I need to buy a home in Youngstown?

To afford the median home of $168,082 in Youngstown with 20% down and a 6.4% mortgage rate, you need a household income of approximately $45,840 per year. This is based on the 30% debt-to-income rule, where your monthly PITI payment of $1,146 should not exceed 30% of gross monthly income.

How much is property tax in Youngstown?

The effective property tax rate in Youngstown is 1.6%. On the median home price of $168,082, that equals approximately $2,689 per year or $224/month.

Should I rent or buy in Youngstown?

The median monthly rent in Youngstown is $1,042, while monthly PITI on the median home (20% down) is $1,146. Buying is favorable within 2 years in Youngstown. Over 5 years, renting costs approximately $66,385 total, while buying costs $107,419 but builds $65,163 in equity.

What down payment do I need for a home in Youngstown?

A 20% down payment on the median Youngstown home ($168,082) is $33,616. FHA loans accept as little as 3.5% ($5,883), though that requires mortgage insurance.

What share of Youngstown households cannot afford the median home?

A household at the $55,357 Youngstown median income clears the ~$45,840 needed to qualify on a 20%-down PITI at today's 6.4% rate, so the median home is broadly affordable to the local median earner.

What is the median household income in Youngstown?

Youngstown's median household income is $55,357/yr (Census ACS). The cost-of-living index is 78 (US = 100).

How does Youngstown compare to Ohio statewide?

Youngstown's median home ($168,082) and rent ($1,042/mo) sit alongside Ohio statewide medians, which the table on this page benchmarks against.

Where does the data come from?

Youngstown numbers are pulled from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (home values, rent), the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (income, demographics), and local assessor data (property tax). Each value is timestamped on the page.

How often is the Youngstown affordability data updated?

Source feeds (Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, Census ACS) refresh on their native cadence — hourly for rates, monthly for ZHVI/ZORI, annually for ACS. Page caches revalidate every 24 hours via Next.js ISR.

Does this affordability check replace mortgage advice?

No. The Youngstown affordability calculator is educational reference using public data and standard formulas. It is not personalized mortgage, tax, or financial advice. Talk to a licensed loan officer before signing.

Can median-income households afford the median home in Youngstown?

With a ~$1,255 monthly PITI and $55,357 median income, housing would consume ~27.2% of gross annual income. Qualifying under the 28% DTI rule requires ~$53,786 in annual income. Educational reference only.

Is it better to rent or buy in Youngstown?

Youngstown's price-to-rent ratio (13.4x) tilts toward buying — below 15x, homes are economical relative to renting.

What is the annual property tax bill on the median home in Youngstown?

Approximately $2,689/yr at the 1.60% effective rate on the $168,082 median home. The national average effective rate is 1.07%.

What share of median income goes to rent in Youngstown?

The $1,042/mo median rent represents 22.6% of the $55,357 median household income. The recommended housing cost threshold is 30%; Youngstown falls within that guideline. Educational reference only.

How much does commuting cost in Youngstown?

Average commute time in Youngstown is 22 minutes per ACS. Estimated annual commute cost runs about $3,832. Educational reference only.

How does the cost of living in Youngstown compare to the national average?

Youngstown's BEA RPP index is 78, 22% below the national baseline of 100. For a household earning the national median income of $77,540, this translates to ~$17,059/yr in purchasing power difference. Educational reference only.

Explore Home Affordability in Other Cities

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Sources & Citations

  1. Zillow Research — ZHVI (home values) & ZORI (rent index) — zillow.com/research/data
  2. U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey (ACS) for median household income — census.gov/acs
  3. Tax Foundation — effective property tax rates by jurisdiction — taxfoundation.org
  4. Freddie Mac PMMS — weekly national average 30-year fixed mortgage rates — freddiemac.com/pmms
  5. National Association of Realtors — median sales price and affordability data — nar.realtor/research
  6. NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report — state-level average HO-3 premiums — naic.org
Methodology & Assumptions

Median home price uses Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)[1]. Median rent uses ZORI, falling back to the Youngstown median rent in our static city snapshot where ZORI has no metro match.

Median household income is the Census ACS 5-year estimate[2].

Property tax rate is the effective rate from the Tax Foundation[3]. Actual millage varies by county.

Mortgage calculations use 6.4% (Freddie Mac PMMS · week of May 14, 2026) national average 30-year fixed rate (PMMS)[4], 30-year term, $1,010/yr Ohio average homeowners insurance from NAIC[6], and 0.5% PMI when down payment is below 20%.

"Income needed" uses the 30% front-end DTI rule: monthly PITI ≤ 30% of gross monthly income. The price-to-income ratio (P/I) is computed as median home price / median household income; 3x or below is generally considered affordable, 4–6x challenging, 6x+ severely unaffordable.

Rent vs. buy assumes 3% annual rent inflation, 3.5% annual home price appreciation, 3% closing costs, and compares 5-year cumulative cost. "Breakeven year" is where cumulative ownership cost minus equity falls below cumulative rent.

Federal tax in the take-home calculation uses IRS single filer, standard deduction; state tax applies the top-marginal rate after state standard deduction; FICA = 6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare.

Context for median sales price cross-references the NAR[5] where applicable.

Last reviewed reflects the maximum retrievedAt timestamp across all sourced data feeding this page.

Home price data from Zillow[1] / NAR[5] (2024–2025). Income data from Census ACS[2]. Property taxes from Tax Foundation[3]. Mortgage calculations assume 6.4% 30-year fixed rate[4], $1,010/yr Ohio homeowners insurance[6], 0.5% PMI. DTI uses 30% front-end rule. Rent vs. buy assumes 3% annual rent increases and 3.5% annual home appreciation. Last reviewed 2026-04-19.