Cost of Living in Cincinnati, OH

Population 309,595 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Cincinnati cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $215,000, rents near $953 a month. At 6.8%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Cost Overview

Housing 71

Rent 73

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cincinnati

The median home value in Cincinnati is $215,300 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $953/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,707/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 65.4°F and lows of 44.2°F. Overall, Cincinnati has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$215,300

29% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$244,309

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$953/mo

27% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,425/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

18.8x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

1.6%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$686

1 BR

$748

2 BR

$929

3 BR

$1,199

4 BR

$1,374

Owner-occupied 38.9%

Renter-occupied 61.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$953

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,567/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

24.9 min

8% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

13.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

66.2%

Carpooled

7.5%

Public transit

5.7%

Walked

5.3%

Bicycle

0.3%

Work from home

13.2%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%

Total Sales Tax 7.2%

State rate 5.8%

Avg local rate 1.4%

Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$51,707

31% below avg

Per Capita Income

$38,878

Unemployment Rate

6.8%

41% above avg

Poverty Rate

24.5%

Labor Force Participation

65.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.2%

Graduate degree 18.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33

Male median age 32.2

Female median age 34.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

65.4°F

Avg Low

44.2°F

Annual Precip

43.4"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	41	45	55	67	75	83	87	86	80	68	55	45
Low °F	24	26	33	43	53	61	65	64	56	44	34	28
Precip"	2.86	2.79	3.94	4.37	4.70	4.61	4.39	3.39	3.07	3.05	2.91	3.32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate

35.3%

Good air days/yr

193

Max AQI recorded

260

PM2.5 days

103

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%

4-Year Graduation Rate

12.4:1

Student-teacher ratio

144

Public schools

91,274

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cincinnati, OH?

Cincinnati has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cincinnati, OH?

The median gross rent in Cincinnati is $953 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cincinnati?

The median home value in Cincinnati is $215,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cincinnati?

The median household income in Cincinnati is $51,707 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cincinnati, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cincinnati is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Cincinnati, OH affordable?

Yes, Cincinnati is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has average high temperatures of 65.4°F and average lows of 44.2°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cincinnati at a Glance

Population: 309,595
Median Income: $51,707
Home Value: $215,300
Median Rent: $953/mo
Unemployment: 6.8%
Avg High Temp: 65.4°F
Sales Tax: 7.2%

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