Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Cooks, Fast Food salary really buy you in Ohio?
Ohio is 8.5% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.5, meaning prices are 8.5% lower the national average. A Cooks, Fast Food earning $26,870 in Ohio has the equivalent purchasing power of $29,366 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Ohio's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $22,500 | $24,590 | +$2,090 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $23,070 | $25,213 | +$2,143 |
| Median (P50) | $26,870 | $29,366 | +$2,496 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $29,710 | $32,469 | +$2,759 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $35,570 | $38,874 | +$3,304 |
A Cooks, Fast Food in Ohio earns $26,870 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $29,366 in an average-cost state. This makes Ohio one of the best value states for this occupation.
Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.5 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.5% less than the national average. For a Cooks, Fast Food, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Ohio's RPP, the $26,870 median salary translates to $29,366 in real terms — a 9.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Cooks, Fast Food.
Ohio ranks #41 of 51 — bottom quartile for Cooks, Fast Food real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Cooks, Fast Food salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Ohio ranks #41 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Cooks, Fast Food take-home pay in Ohio after taxes →
A Cooks, Fast Food in Ohio earns a median salary of $26,870 per year. After adjusting for Ohio's cost of living (RPP=91.5), the real purchasing power is $29,366 — a +9.3% difference.
Ohio's cost of living is 8.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Ohio is 91.5 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Cooks, Fast Food in Ohio: $26,870 x (100 / 91.5) = $29,366. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Cooks, Fast Food in Ohio enjoys 9.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.