Chicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OH
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Housing in Chicago runs about 32% above Cincinnati, but Chicago earns more at the median (31% higher), partly offsetting the cost difference — the standard tradeoff between cost and earnings that shapes most US city-to-city moves.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$215,300 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$244,309
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$953/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
38.9%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
18.8x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$51,707
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$38,878
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.8% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
24.5%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
24.9 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
66.2%
Public Transit %
19.3%
5.7%
Work From Home %
18.3%
13.2%
State Income Tax
5.0%
3.8%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
7.2% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
23.2%
Median Age
35.7
33
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
65.4°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
43.4"
Chicago, IL 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Cincinnati, OH 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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