Columbiana County's composite score of 71.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it among the nation's most livable counties by value metrics. This exceptional ranking is driven by some of the lowest housing costs available anywhere in the country.
2 / 5
Tops Ohio's statewide composite score average
Columbiana County scores 71.7 against Ohio's average of 68.8, ranking it among the state's best-performing counties for overall livability. Tied with Carroll County as a top performer, it offers exceptional value within Ohio's competitive county landscape.
3 / 5
Lowest housing costs in this county group
Columbiana County's cost score of 83.8 is the highest among these eight counties, featuring median home values of just $139,100 and rents of only $736/month. Tax score of 72.2 at a 1.070% effective rate further enhances its appeal to budget-conscious families and retirees seeking maximum affordability.
4 / 5
Income potential is the lowest measured here
Columbiana County's income score of 21.6 reflects median household income of $58,474—the lowest among these eight counties and well below national averages. Limited data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality prevents comprehensive assessment of livability beyond cost metrics.
5 / 5
Ultimate destination for ultra-budget living
Columbiana County is the top choice for retirees, remote workers, or anyone seeking the lowest possible housing costs in the region, even at the expense of local wage opportunities. If you can earn income elsewhere or live on a fixed income, Columbiana's housing prices are virtually unmatched in affordability.
Columbiana County's composite score of 71.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it among the nation's most livable counties by value metrics. This exceptional ranking is driven by some of the lowest housing costs available anywhere in the country.
Tops Ohio's statewide composite score average
Columbiana County scores 71.7 against Ohio's average of 68.8, ranking it among the state's best-performing counties for overall livability. Tied with Carroll County as a top performer, it offers exceptional value within Ohio's competitive county landscape.
Lowest housing costs in this county group
Columbiana County's cost score of 83.8 is the highest among these eight counties, featuring median home values of just $139,100 and rents of only $736/month. Tax score of 72.2 at a 1.070% effective rate further enhances its appeal to budget-conscious families and retirees seeking maximum affordability.
Income potential is the lowest measured here
Columbiana County's income score of 21.6 reflects median household income of $58,474—the lowest among these eight counties and well below national averages. Limited data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality prevents comprehensive assessment of livability beyond cost metrics.
Ultimate destination for ultra-budget living
Columbiana County is the top choice for retirees, remote workers, or anyone seeking the lowest possible housing costs in the region, even at the expense of local wage opportunities. If you can earn income elsewhere or live on a fixed income, Columbiana's housing prices are virtually unmatched in affordability.
Score breakdown
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🏛72.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Columbiana County's effective tax rate of 1.070% sits above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 52nd percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,488 trails the national median of $2,690 by over $1,200, reflecting smaller homes in the county.
Moderate burden across Ohio
Columbiana County's effective rate of 1.070% sits just slightly below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it a moderate-tax jurisdiction. The median tax bill of $1,488 falls $657 below Ohio's median of $2,145, reflecting lower property values in the region.
Eastern Ohio's middle-ground county
Columbiana County's 1.070% rate sits between Carroll County's bargain 0.967% and Coshocton's nearly identical 0.968%, making it slightly more expensive than its eastern neighbors. It remains well below southwestern counties like Clark County at 1.246%.
What $139.1K home costs annually
A homeowner with a median-valued property of $139,100 in Columbiana County pays approximately $1,488 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation rises to $1,607.
Assessment checks apply here too
Though Columbiana County carries moderate tax rates, homeowners should still verify that their assessed values reflect current market conditions. Filing an appeal if your property is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales could yield meaningful annual savings.
Columbiana delivers genuine national affordability advantage
Columbiana County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio sits nearly at the national 15% affordability standard, offering budget-conscious renters genuine relief nationwide. With a median household income of $58,474—the second-lowest among these eight counties—Columbiana's strength lies in exceptionally low rents that keep housing accessible despite below-average earnings.
Below Ohio's affordability line despite lower incomes
Columbiana's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio edges below Ohio's 15.6% state average, making it one of the more affordable Ohio counties despite lower median household income. The county's median rent of $736—the lowest here—compensates for limited wage opportunities with genuine cost relief.
Lowest rents with solid affordability
Columbiana's $736 median rent is the cheapest option among these eight counties, though its 15.1% ratio slightly trails Carroll County's exceptional 14.5%. For families prioritizing minimal monthly housing costs, Columbiana competes effectively against all regional peers, especially rural neighbors like Coshocton County.
Minimal rent burden on modest incomes
Columbiana residents spend roughly $736 monthly on rent—the county's lowest—against a median household income of $58,474, consuming 15.1% of earnings. Homeowners face similar affordability, with $751 monthly mortgage costs and a median home value of just $139,100, making homeownership realistic for entry-level buyers.
Columbiana rewards budget-first relocators
If affordability is your top priority and you're comfortable with lower wage opportunities, Columbiana County's $736 median rent is unbeatable in this region. Test your own income: at the county's $58,474 median, you'd spend just $736 on rent—compare this against neighboring counties to quantify your potential savings.
Columbiana County's median household income of $58,474 lags the national median of $74,755 by 21.8%, placing it in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties. This gap reflects the county's dependence on legacy manufacturing and limited economic diversification.
Ohio's lower tier
At $58,474, Columbiana ranks in the bottom quartile of Ohio counties, running 14.1% below the state average of $68,101. Few Ohio counties report household incomes this far below statewide norms.
Lagging peer counties
Columbiana's $58,474 underperforms most regional peers, trailing Coshocton County ($54,687) narrowly but far behind Champaign ($74,239) and Butler ($81,194). Within its cohort, Columbiana faces steeper economic headwinds than most neighbors.
Housing pressure mounting
Columbiana's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% combined with low household income creates real affordability strain, and median home values of $139,100 approach the limits of median-income purchasing power. Renters and first-time homebuyers face notable financial stress.
Focus on income advancement
Columbiana residents should pursue skills training and job advancement to close the significant income gap versus state and national peers. Even modest wage increases would unlock meaningful capacity for savings and long-term wealth accumulation.
Columbiana County life expectancy below national average
At 74.0 years, Columbiana County residents live 0.5 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years—a modest but meaningful gap. With 20.7% reporting poor or fair health, just below the national average of 21%, the county shows broadly typical health challenges.
Modestly below Ohio average on longevity
Columbiana County's 74.0-year life expectancy trails Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by less than a year. Its 20.7% poor/fair health rate is slightly above the state norm, indicating room for improvement.
Mid-range outcomes with coverage challenges
Columbiana County's 74.0-year life expectancy places it between stronger performers like Champaign (75.7) and weaker ones like Clark (72.3). Its 9.1% uninsured rate is the second-highest among regional peers, above the state average of 7.5%.
Limited primary care, fragmented coverage
Columbiana County has only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below regional averages—and 167 mental health providers per 100,000. With 9.1% of residents uninsured, over 1 in 11 people lack health coverage, creating significant barriers to preventive and mental health care.
Coverage gaps put health at risk
Columbiana County's limited primary care network and high uninsured rate mean many residents struggle to access routine care; getting insured is essential. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local community health center to find affordable coverage and connect with available providers.
Columbiana County's composite risk score of 69.05 sits above the national average, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category with meaningful natural hazard exposure. This score reflects elevated tornado and flood vulnerabilities compared to typical American counties.
Higher-risk county for Ohio
Columbiana County scores 69.05 against Ohio's state average of 55.03, ranking it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevation particularly reflects tornado (69.97) and flood (82.16) exposure.
Riskier than nearby lower-risk counties
Columbiana County's 69.05 score exceeds Clinton County (34.00) and Coshocton County (49.08), though it remains slightly lower than Clark County (77.10). This places it in the middle-upper range of regional risk.
Floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes matter
Flood risk (82.16) and tornado risk (69.97) are Columbiana County's primary threats, while hurricane risk (59.53)—unusually high for an inland Ohio county—also warrants attention. Wildfire risk (46.76) remains moderate.
Ensure flood and tornado coverage
Columbiana County residents should verify that homeowner's insurance covers tornado and flood damage, especially given the elevated flood risk (82.16). A family emergency plan and designated safe space strengthen preparedness.