Is Cincinnati, OH cheaper than Columbus, OH?

Based on cost of living data, Cincinnati, OH is 1.1% cheaper than Columbus, OH. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Cincinnati, OH to live like I do in Columbus, OH?

If you earn $150,000 in Columbus, OH, you'd need approximately $149,000 in Cincinnati, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Columbus, OH and Cincinnati, OH?

Housing in Cincinnati, OH is 1.3% more expensive than in Columbus, OH. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,200/month in Cincinnati, OH compared to $1,315/month in Columbus, OH.

How much can I save per month by moving from Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, OH?

Moving from Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, OH could save you approximately $83 per month, or $1000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Columbus, OH vs Cincinnati, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Columbus, OH

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Cincinnati, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in Cincinnati, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Columbus, OH area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$83.33

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$263K

Cincinnati, OH

Population:309K

Cost Index:

(1% below avg)

Median Home:$225K

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cincinnati, OH

The Buckeye State

309K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 309K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Columbus, OH vs Cincinnati, OH

Category	Columbus, OH	Cincinnati, OH	Difference	Change
Transportation	$1,366/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $150less	11.0%
Other	$1,557/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $50.22more	3.2%
Groceries	$969/mo	$919/mo	↓ $49.96less	5.2%
Healthcare	$607/mo	$564/mo	↓ $43.37less	7.1%
Housing	$2,053/mo	$2,079/mo	↑ $25.99more	1.3%
All Utilities	$464/mo	$464/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Transportation

↓ 11.0%

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Cincinnati, OH

$1,216

Difference

$150

less

Other

↑ 3.2%

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Cincinnati, OH

$1,607

Difference

$50.22

Groceries

↓ 5.2%

Columbus, OH

$969

Cincinnati, OH

$919

Difference

$49.96

less

Healthcare

↓ 7.1%

Columbus, OH

$607

Cincinnati, OH

$564

Difference

$43.37

less

Housing

↑ 1.3%

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Cincinnati, OH

$2,079

Difference

$25.99

All Utilities

→ 0.0%

Columbus, OH

$464

Cincinnati, OH

$464

Difference

same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Cincinnati, OH: Cincinnati Earnings Tax$2,700/yr (1.8%)

Net difference-$1,050/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,020

To$850

↓ $170

1 Bed

From$1,100

To$935

↓ $165

2 Bed

From$1,315

To$1,200

↓ $115

3 Bed

From$1,575

To$1,585

↑ $10.00

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

Cincinnati, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $760–$1,580/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$6,849

Monthly in Cincinnati, OH

$167

Difference

Home Values

Columbus

Cincinnati

$263K

Median Value

$225K

↓ -0.4%

YoY Change

↑ +1.2%

↑ +28.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +31.9%

$95K - $406K

Price Range

$113K - $592K

Homes in Cincinnati are 14% less expensive than Columbus

Calculate payment - Columbus Calculate payment - Cincinnati

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Cincinnati, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

Cincinnati, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Columbus

Cincinnati

53 Moderate

Air Quality

52 Moderate

41.3%

Good Air Days

44.8%

98 High

Climate Risk

96 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

29 days

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

29 days

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Columbus, OH on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Cincinnati, OH

Other cities in a similar price range

Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC Dallas, TX

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Cincinnati, OH

Columbus, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Columbus, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code22 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code20 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP21 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP20 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Columbus, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Additional Tax Information

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Cincinnati, OH Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Cincinnati, OH