C-

Harpster, OH

Source:

Affordability Score: 52/100

Population: 680 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Harpster, OH aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 680 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (52/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $56,667, median home value of $178,500, median rent of per month, and 14.4% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $973 per month (studio $736, 1BR $800, 3BR $1,242, 4BR $1,422). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,025 per year, consuming 16% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Harpster, OH include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 0.0% and poverty 7.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income D
$56,667
Median household income
Education F
14.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.1x
Home value $178,500 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent B+
$973/mo
2BR fair market rent (21% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$9,025/yr
Center-based infant care (16% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$56,667
▼ 9% vs national
Per Capita Income
$37,148
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
Poverty Rate
7.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$178,500
▼ 35% vs national
Median Rent
Owner Occupied
95.2%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$973/mo
▼ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$736
1BR
$800
2BR
$973
3BR
$1,242
4BR
$1,422

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%
▼ 16 ppt vs national
High School+
62.0%
Median Age
53.0
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,025/yr
16% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,320/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,384/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,200/yr

What This Means

Harpster, OH receives an overall affordability grade of C- (52/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 680. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Harpster ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Harpster, OH affordable?
Harpster, OH receives an overall affordability grade of C- (52/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $56,667. Median home value is $178,500.
What is the cost of living in Harpster?
Key cost metrics: 2BR fair market rent $973/mo. Infant childcare $9,025/yr. Median home value $178,500.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →