Trucking Jobs: Ohio vs Indiana
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Ohio
Lower COL
Indiana
More Jobs
Ohio
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Ohio wins| Metric | Ohio | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Range | $50,000 - $76,000 | $49,000 - $74,000 |
| Minimum | $50,000 | $49,000 |
| Maximum | $76,000 | $74,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Indiana wins| Metric | Ohio | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 90 | 89 |
| State Income Tax | 0%–3.75% progressive (0% under $26,050) | 3.05% flat |
Job Availability
Ohio wins| Metric | Ohio | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 14,000 | 9,800 |
Top Trucking Companies
Ohio
- 1TForce Freight
- 2Estes Express
- 3R+L Carriers
- 4Averitt Express
- 5Dayton Freight
Indiana
- 1FedEx
- 2Schneider
- 3Celadon Group
- 4USA Truck
- 5Heartland Express
Key Freight Routes
Ohio
- I-71 (Cleveland–Columbus–Cincinnati)
- I-75 (Toledo–Dayton)
- I-77 (Cleveland–Canton–WV)
- I-70 (Columbus–Indianapolis)
Indiana
- I-70 (Indianapolis–OH/IL)
- I-65 (Gary–Indianapolis–Louisville)
- I-69 (Fort Wayne–Indianapolis)
- I-74 (Indianapolis–Cincinnati)
CDL Requirements
Ohio
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Ohio BMV requires ELDT completion before CDL skills test.
Indiana
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Indiana BMV processes CDL applications; skills test at approved locations.
Weather & Driving Conditions
Ohio
Weather
Cold winters with lake-effect snow near Cleveland, warm humid summers.
Driving Challenges
Lake-effect snow on I-90 near Cleveland, construction on I-71 corridor, Columbus interchange complexity.
Indiana
Weather
Cold winters with snow and ice, warm humid summers. Lake-effect snow in northwest near Gary.
Driving Challenges
I-465 Indianapolis beltway congestion, winter ice on I-70, Gary steel district traffic, construction on I-69.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
OH
Lower COL
IN
More Jobs
OH
Lower Tax
Tie
Ohio leads in 2 of 4 categories. However, the best state for you depends on your specific situation—freight specialization, family location, and career goals all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ohio vs Indiana
Which state has lower trucking costs, Ohio or Indiana?
Indiana has a slightly lower cost of living (89 vs 90) and a flat 3.05% income tax. Ohio's progressive tax is more favorable for lower earners (0% under $26K) but higher for mid-range earners. Fuel costs, tolls (Ohio Turnpike), and insurance rates are comparable between the states.
How do logistics hubs compare in Ohio and Indiana?
Ohio has Columbus (major e-commerce hub), Cleveland (lake port), and Cincinnati (major river port and air cargo hub with DHL Americas hub). Indiana's Indianapolis is the #1 FedEx Ground hub and benefits from the I-70/I-65/I-69 crossroads. Both states are within a day's drive of 60%+ of the US population.
What cross-state routes connect Ohio and Indiana?
I-70 connects Indianapolis to Columbus and beyond to Pittsburgh. I-74 links Indianapolis to Cincinnati. I-80/90 (Ohio Turnpike) connects through northern Indiana to Chicago. These corridors make Ohio-Indiana a natural paired market for regional carriers.
Explore Each State
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