Moving to Ohio

Ohio costs less than the national average.

• The MERIC first quarter 2026 series put the cost of living index at 93.7, ranked 21st, with housing at 86.3.
• The Tax Foundation describes a flat 2.75 percent state income tax on income over $26,050.
• Some cities also collect a local income tax, and 210 school districts had one as of January 2026, so check your new address.
• The state sales tax is 5.75 percent, and the effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes is 1.36 percent.

Electricity costs about the same as the national average.

• In EIA 2024 data, the average Ohio home used about 846 kWh a month at about 16.0 cents per kWh.
• The average bill was about $135, against about $142 nationally.
• If you buy a home, look at the owner-occupancy reduction.
• You must own and live in the home on January 1 of the year you apply.
• File Form DTE 105C with the county auditor by December 31.

Get an Ohio driver license within 30 days

Transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Go to any Deputy Registrar with your unexpired license. Bring documents that prove your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal presence, and Ohio address. You take a vision screening and complete Form BMV 5745. If your license has expired, you must take the tests.

Title the vehicle at the county clerk of courts first

Title and register the vehicle within 30 days of becoming a resident. You must convert your out-of-state title to an Ohio title before you can register the vehicle. Go to a County Clerk of Courts title office. Bring the out-of-state title, ID, and an out-of-state VIN inspection. A Deputy Registrar does the inspection for $8. The title fee is $18, or $23 in some counties. If a lender holds your title, complete a transfer request form. Send the form to the lender.

Register the vehicle at a Deputy Registrar

Bring your Ohio title, memorandum title, or electronic title receipt. Also bring your Ohio license or proof of your Social Security number. The annual fee for a passenger vehicle is $36. The Deputy Registrar fee and local permissive tax are extra. Hybrids pay $100 more each year, plug-in hybrids $150, and electric vehicles $200.

Check whether your county requires E-Check

Ohio tests emissions only in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties. If you live in one of them, bring an E-Check certificate when you register. Ohio plans to end E-Check. The test stays required until U.S. EPA approves the end of the program. Odd model years test in odd calendar years, and even model years in even years. New vehicles are exempt for six years, and new hybrids for seven. Vehicles older than 25 years are exempt.

Carry at least 25/50/25 liability insurance

Ohio requires insurance to drive any motor vehicle. The minimum is $25,000 for injury or death of one person and $50,000 for two or more people. Property damage coverage must be at least $25,000. Show proof of insurance at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections.

Register to vote at least 30 days before an election

Hand in your registration by the 30th day before the election, or mail it with a postmark by that day. You must also live in Ohio for the 30 days before the election. Deputy Registrars also accept voter registration forms. You can hand one in when you get your license.