Cost of Living in Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Cincinnati, OH to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Cincinnati, OH?
With a price level of 95.4 (U.S. average = 100), Cincinnati, OH is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 12% below average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 9% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Cincinnati, OH vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.4 | −4.6% |
| Housing | 87.6 | −12.4% |
| Goods | 93.8 | −6.2% |
| Utilities | 91.0 | −9.0% |
| Other services | 99.0 | −1.0% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Cincinnati, OH
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $952 | $38,080/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,043 | $41,720/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,342 | $53,680/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,769 | $70,760/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,962 | $78,480/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Cincinnati, OH
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Cincinnati, OH | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,100 | $32,528 |
| $60,000 | $57,200 | $47,350 |
| $80,000 | $76,300 | $61,191 |
| $100,000 | $95,400 | $74,103 |
| $150,000 | $143,100 | $105,922 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Ohio 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Cincinnati, OH's median wage of $50,170 takes home about $3,491 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,043, which is 30% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,448 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH
- Federal income tax$3,840
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,111
- Medicare (1.45%)$727
- Ohio income tax$597
- Take-home pay$41,894
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Cincinnati residents also pay a city income tax: about $903 a year on the $50,170 median wage, leaving $40,991. Select “Cincinnati” under City income tax above to include it.
Highest-paying jobs in Cincinnati, OH
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $239,200+ | $238,228 | $249,794 |
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $217,071 | $227,610 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $169,530 | $123,260 | $129,244 |
| Financial Manager | $152,700 | $112,220 | $117,668 |
| Marketing Manager | $145,770 | $107,673 | $112,901 |
| Pharmacist | $140,200 | $104,020 | $109,069 |
| Sales Manager | $138,790 | $103,095 | $108,100 |
| Lawyer | $130,980 | $97,971 | $102,728 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,700 | $96,476 | $101,159 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $125,680 | $94,494 | $99,082 |
| Software Developer | $121,420 | $91,692 | $96,144 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $106,540 | $81,633 | $85,597 |
| Industrial Engineer | $105,140 | $80,687 | $84,604 |
| Construction Manager | $104,710 | $80,396 | $84,299 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,220 | $80,065 | $83,952 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,450 | $79,545 | $83,406 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $101,530 | $78,247 | $82,045 |
| General and Operations Manager | $100,670 | $77,665 | $81,436 |
| Management Analyst | $97,360 | $75,428 | $79,090 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Ohio cities
Half of Ohio’s 5,550,180 workers earn less than $49,380 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,820–$77,570 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Dayton, OH stretches a paycheck furthest, while Wheeling, WV is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $51,340 | 95.5 | $1,179 | 33% | $2,388 | $44,834 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $50,170 | 95.4 | $1,043 | 30% | $2,448 | $43,928 |
| Cleveland, OH | $50,140 | 93.9 | $1,048 | 30% | $2,441 | $44,580 |
| Dayton, OH | $49,980 | 92.7 | $1,009 | 29% | $2,470 | $45,037 |
| Akron, OH | $48,840 | 93.4 | $985 | 29% | $2,420 | $43,764 |
| Toledo, OH | $48,220 | 91.5 | $820 | 24% | $2,545 | $44,154 |
| Canton, OH | $45,810 | 89.4 | $846 | 26% | $2,363 | $43,074 |
| Youngstown, OH | $43,800 | 87.4 | $771 | 25% | $2,308 | $42,281 |
| Huntington, WV | $44,600 | 88.4 | $829 | 26% | $2,302 | $42,492 |
| Wheeling, WV | $44,250 | 88.3 | $816 | 26% | $2,292 | $42,232 |
| Sandusky, OH | $44,970 | 89.3 | $871 | 28% | $2,284 | $42,404 |
| Lima, OH | $47,170 | 89.7 | $844 | 26% | $2,453 | $44,125 |
| Mansfield, OH | $44,700 | 88.9 | $773 | 25% | $2,364 | $42,364 |
| Springfield, OH | $45,470 | 90.5 | $843 | 26% | $2,344 | $42,270 |
| Weirton, WV | $45,840 | 89.0 | $757 | 24% | $2,454 | $43,285 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Cincinnati, OH vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | 95.4 | $1,043 | $50,170 | 1,101,030 |
| Nashville, TN | 96.3 | $1,530 | $50,390 | 1,099,300 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $1,242 | $49,340 | 1,105,170 |
| Kansas City, MO | 92.5 | $1,193 | $50,820 | 1,096,110 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $1,058 | $49,650 | 1,114,490 |
| Sacramento, CA | 106.7 | $1,812 | $59,750 | 1,080,590 |
| San Antonio, TX | 94.7 | $1,171 | $47,010 | 1,126,880 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cincinnati, OH expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area are 95.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 87.6%. It is the #161 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Cincinnati, OH?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $57,222 in Cincinnati, OH (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $50,170.
Can you afford Cincinnati, OH on the median wage?
A single worker on the $50,170 median wage takes home about $3,491 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,043 would take 30% of that.
How much is rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Cincinnati, OH are $952 for a studio, $1,043 for one bedroom, $1,342 for two bedrooms and $1,769 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Cincinnati, OH
Management Occupations
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $177,160
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $169,530
- Financial Manager — $152,700
- Marketing Manager — $145,770
- Sales Manager — $138,790
- Industrial Production Manager — $125,680
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $106,540
- Construction Manager — $104,710
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $97,360
- Project Management Specialist — $95,380
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $86,040
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,640
- Personal Financial Advisor — $80,540
- Compliance Officer — $79,310
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $77,610
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $77,070
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $121,420
- Computer Systems Analyst — $103,450
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $101,530
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,350
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Industrial Engineer — $105,140
- Mechanical Engineer — $104,220
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $61,830
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $58,520
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $55,080
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $130,980
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $67,180
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $66,190
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $64,740
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,360
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $35,430
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Coach and Scout — $39,170
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $140,200
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,700
- Registered Nurse — $83,650
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $65,370
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,180
- Pharmacy Technician — $40,490
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $49,590
- Medical Assistant — $44,340
- Nursing Assistant — $40,350
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,210
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,410
- Firefighter — $58,570
- Security Guard — $36,110
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,370
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,180
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,530
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,030
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,320
- Bartender — $34,240
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,070
- Dishwasher — $30,740
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,600
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,030
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $34,650
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,790
- Childcare Worker — $30,150
- Recreation Worker — $29,880
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,650
Sales and Related Occupations
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $76,310
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $75,950
- Insurance Sales Agent — $63,110
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $60,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,380
- Retail Salesperson — $30,810
- Cashier — $29,170
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,880
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $58,650
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $49,590
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,850
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $47,630
- Customer Service Representative — $46,470
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $46,180
- Teller — $45,920
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $80,520
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $66,950
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $65,160
- Electrician — $63,490
- Carpenter — $60,110
- Construction Laborer — $54,930
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $82,330
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $70,640
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $62,240
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $56,830
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $49,090
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,880
- Machinist — $57,300
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $54,790
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $51,990
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,340
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $45,570
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $44,440
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $63,900
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,590
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $49,000
- Bus Drivers, School — $46,870
- Light Truck Driver — $44,070
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,810