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Are You Middle Class in Columbus? Let’s Do the Math.
Everyone loves to claim they’re “middle class,” but what does that actually mean in Columbus? Are you comfortably in the middle, just scraping by, or one Amazon price hike away from financial ruin? Let’s break it down.
The Numbers:
Middle class is generally defined as earning between 67% and 200% of the median household income. In Columbus, that puts you somewhere between $43,770 and $130,654 a year.
For comparison, Ohio’s statewide median household income is $66,990, meaning the middle-class range across the state is roughly $44,660 to $133,980. In other words, Columbus is right in line with Ohio’s economic middle ground.
What Does That Actually Buy You?
Being middle class in Columbus means different things depending on how far up or down the scale you land.
Lower Middle Class (~$45K-$75K): Covering the essentials, but a surprise car repair or medical bill can wreck your month. Vacations? Maybe a weekend trip to Hocking Hills, but Disney’s not happening.
Mid-Middle Class (~$75K-$100K): You’ve got some financial breathing room. A vacation isn’t out of the question, but you’re still not shopping at Easton without checking price tags.
Upper Middle Class (~$100K-$130K): You’re doing well. You have some savings, own a home (hopefully bought before mortgage rates hit 7%), and might even have a Costco membership with the executive upgrade.
What’s Hitting Your Wallet?
Cost of living plays a big role in middle-class status, and while Columbus is still affordable compared to Chicago or D.C., prices are climbing.
Housing: The median home price in Columbus is now $300,000, up 40% in the last five years. If you’re making $75K, that’s a $2,100 mortgage payment with today’s interest rates, before you even think about property taxes, utilities, and home insurance.
Rent: A one-bedroom apartment in Columbus now averages $1,300 per month. That’s up from $950 in 2019, a 37% jump in just a few years. If you’re making $50K, that’s almost 40% of your take-home pay going to rent.
Groceries: Food prices in Columbus are up 25% since 2020, and if you’ve checked out at Giant Eagle lately, you know the pain. A gallon of milk that used to cost $2.50 is now over $4, and a basic grocery run for a family of four can easily clear $250, without even splurging on name brands.
Gas & Transportation: Gas is hovering around $3.25/gallon, and car insurance rates have jumped 24% year-over-year in Ohio, meaning if you were paying $120/month last year, you're paying $150 now.
Childcare: Full-time daycare in Columbus averages $10,000 to $15,000 per year, which, for many middle-class families, is basically a second mortgage.
Why are we always talking about the Middle Class?
Because if the middle class shrinks, the economy struggles. More people get priced out of homeownership, savings accounts dwindle, and everyday expenses start feeling like luxury purchases.
So, if you find yourself wondering why it still feels hard to get ahead, even while earning what should be a solid income, you’re not imagining it. The middle class in Columbus is still holding strong, but the margins are getting tighter.
Scarlet Letter Trivia
Question: What year was daylight savings time implemented nationally?
A) 1819
B) 1918
C) 1966
D) 2005
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What a cozy pit!
Ohio’s Billion-Dollar Boom: Defiance County Wipes the Competition
Ohio just scored the biggest economic development deal in Defiance County history, and yes, it involves toilet paper. Thanks to a $14.6 million investment from the state’s All Ohio Future Fund, First Quality Tissue Midwest is setting up shop with a $984 million facility to churn out premium toilet paper and paper towels. That’s right, Ohio’s economy is on a roll.
What’s the Bottom Line?
A 1.6-million-square-foot production facility
400 new jobs by 2032
Cutting-edge thru-air-dried (TAD) paper machines for extra-soft, extra-absorbent products (because even our toilet paper is leveling up)
First machine launches in 2028, with a second following 18 months later
Oprah
Why Defiance?
Turns out, TP makers need good infrastructure, too. This facility is parked next to four major highways, a rail line, and two large gas trunk lines (which is not a fiber joke, but it should be). Ohio also sweetened the deal with a 10-year tax credit, making sure we didn’t get left behind in the... dust?
Flush with Cash
This deal is just one of Ohio’s many big-ticket investments lately, courtesy of the state’s $750 million site-prep fund. Other recent wins:
🚀 Anduril Industries is bringing a $1 billion autonomous weapons facility to Pickaway County
💾 Intel’s massive semiconductor plant is still in the works
📈 More high-dollar deals are circling
Defiance County officials are calling this a game-changer, and state leaders are patting themselves on the back for their pro-business flush... er, rush. At the very least, Ohioans can feel good knowing their next roll of ultra-premium TP might be homegrown.
And if you think we’re overhyping a toilet paper factory, just remember, things only seem unnecessary until you run out.
Trivia Answer:
C) 1966 The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established nationwide daylight saving time (DST) in the United States. This act standardized the start and end dates for DST, and it's the system that's still in use today.
Arrivederci
