Fostoria is a small city of 12,904 in Ohio, with a median household income of $53,145
and a 5.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fostoria stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fostoria is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fostoria city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 86.9
Fostoria's overall cost of living index is 86.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fostoria costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fostoria, OH
National Avg
Median Home Value
$82,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$729
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,145
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Fostoria's violent crime rate is 168.7 per 100,000 residents
— 56% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
168.7 /100k
Property Crime
713.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fostoria is served primarily by Fostoria City.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fostoria, OH
National Avg
School District
Fostoria City
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fostoria sees average highs of 33.3°F in January
and 83.9°F in July,
with 38.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 29.5 inches of snow per year.
Fostoria's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fostoria roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $82,400 and median rent is $729/month.
Fostoria's violent crime rate is 168.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 713.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fostoria are operated by Fostoria City.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. 11.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fostoria, OH has a population of 12,904, a median household income of $53,145, and an unemployment rate of 5.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Fostoria averages 33.3°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.7 inches
with about 29.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fostoria, OH is covered by 1 ZIP code: 44830.
The population of Fostoria, Ohio is 12,904 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fostoria: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $82,400, median household income $53,145, crime index 40 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fostoria side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
