| Index | Cincinnati | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 93 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Cincinnati allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Cincinnati stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Cincinnati are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Cincinnati can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 28 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Cincinnati. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 71% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 29% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Cincinnati affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Cincinnati, for instance, where the median home price falls 18.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Cincinnati flaunting a median household income of $63,159, 22.3% lower than the national norm.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Cincinnati, the groceries index is 1.2% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Cincinnati, the housing index is 19% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Cincinnati starts at 5.75% and the income tax rates start at 2.76%.
The cost of living data for Cincinnati shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $112,253 | $9,354 | $2,619 | $3,368 |
| Renters | $43,718 | $3,643 | $1,020 | $1,312 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Shawnee, OH | 1,081 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Plainville, OH | 159 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Hooven, OH | 336 | 77 | 22.7% |
| Shawnee village, OH | 563 | 78 | 21.8% |
| Dillonvale village, OH | 667 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 92 | 8.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Greensboro, NC | 304,481 | 98 | 1.8% |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Anchorage, AK | 302,697 | 132 | 32.0% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 92 | 8.1% |
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