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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Cincinnati: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

4.6% below

Cost of living in Cincinnati is 4.6% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area (index 95.4; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Cincinnati is $1,115 a month.

Cost of living in Cincinnati by category

Overall prices

95.4U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−4.6% vs. U.S.

Goods
93.8 −6.2%
Housing (rents)
87.6 −12.4%
Utilities
91.0 −9.0%
Other services
99.0 −1.0%

BEA 2024 · Cincinnati metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,115/mo

Median gross rent

−25% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$991 −24% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,154 −23% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,588 −5% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$263,300 −27% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,695 −17% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$158/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
19.4¢/kWh +6% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.25/Mcf +10% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
91.0

EIA July 2026 · Ohio statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

21.4min

Mean travel time to work

−21% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
67.1%
Work from home
11.9%
Gasoline (Ohio)
$4.19/gal −4% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$295/wk

Center care, infant

+70% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$265/wk +73% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$232/wk +61% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$200/wk +40% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Hamilton County Details: Child care

Income

$56,910/yr

Median household income

−30% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
24%
Home value to income
4.6×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Cincinnati

Median gross rent in Cincinnati is $1,115 a month, 25% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,000–$1,249 range, which holds 21.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 38.3% pay $1,250 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $263,300, and 4.4% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Cincinnati vs. Ohio vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Cincinnati: $1,115; Ohio: $1,090; U.S.: $1,487 Cincinnati $1,115 Ohio $1,090 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Cincinnati: $1,695; Ohio: $1,563; U.S.: $2,035 Cincinnati $1,695 Ohio $1,563 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Cincinnati: $263,300; Ohio: $239,800; U.S.: $360,600 Cincinnati $263,300 Ohio $239,800 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureCincinnatiOhioU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,115$1,090$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,695$1,563$2,035
Median home value$263,300$239,800$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Cincinnati

What renters pay in Cincinnati Share of renter households paying cash rent in Cincinnati by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 7.6%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 1.6%. Median $1,115. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 7.6% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 12.6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 19.8% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 21.8% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 10.7% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 15.4% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 5.9% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 1.6% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,115 (Cincinnati) 21.8%
Show the data table
RangeCincinnatiU.S.
Less than $5007.6%6.1%
$500–$74912.6%6.8%
$750–$99919.8%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24921.8%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49910.7%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99915.4%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4995.9%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9992.7%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4992%3.2%
$3,500 or more1.6%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Cincinnati

Home values in Cincinnati Share of owner-occupied homes in Cincinnati by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 10.1%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 1.6%. Median $263,300. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 10.1% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 10.8% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 14.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 10.7% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 14.3% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 14% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 9.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 7.4% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 4.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 1.6% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $263,300 (Cincinnati) 14.6%
Show the data table
RangeCincinnatiU.S.
Less than $100,00010.1%10.2%
$100,000–$149,99910.8%5.7%
$150,000–$199,99914.6%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99910.7%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99914.3%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99914%15.9%
$400,000–$499,9999.2%12%
$500,000–$749,9997.4%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9994.6%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9992.8%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more1.6%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Cincinnati

Measure Cincinnati Ohio U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,115$1,090$1,487
1-bedroom rent $991$878$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,154$1,122$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,588$1,229$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,695$1,563$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Cincinnati?

At the median, rent takes about 24% of household income in Cincinnati. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $44,600 a year.

The median home is worth $263,300, or 4.6 times the median household income.

Household income in Cincinnati

The median household in Cincinnati earns $56,910 a year, 30% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 8.9% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 24.7% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Cincinnati vs. Ohio vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Cincinnati: $56,910; Ohio: $72,212; U.S.: $81,604 Cincinnati $56,910 Ohio $72,212 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureCincinnatiOhioU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$56,910$72,212$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Cincinnati

Household income distribution in Cincinnati Share of households in Cincinnati by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 10.3%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 8.9%. Median $56,910. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 10.3% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.8% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 4.9% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 4.4% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6.2% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8.3% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 11.6% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 7.4% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 4.8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 7.3% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 8.9% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $56,910 (Cincinnati) 11.6%
Show the data table
RangeCincinnatiU.S.
Less than $10,00010.3%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9996%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9993.4%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9995%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.8%3%
$30,000–$34,9994.9%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.8%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9994.4%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9994%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996.2%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998.3%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99911.6%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9997.4%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9994.8%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9997.3%9.7%
$200,000 or more8.9%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Cincinnati Ohio U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $56,910$72,212$81,604
Median home value $263,300$239,800$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area scored 95.4 for all items. The highest category is other services at 99.0; the lowest is housing rents at 87.6.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Cincinnati metro area: 95.4; Ohio: 92.8; U.S.: 100.0 Cincinnati metro area 95.4 Ohio 92.8 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Cincinnati metro area: 93.8; Ohio: 93.7; U.S.: 99.6 Cincinnati metro area 93.8 Ohio 93.7 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Cincinnati metro area: 87.6; Ohio: 73.0; U.S.: 100.6 Cincinnati metro area 87.6 Ohio 73.0 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Cincinnati metro area: 91.0; Ohio: 95.8; U.S.: 98.4 Cincinnati metro area 91.0 Ohio 95.8 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Cincinnati metro area: 99.0; Ohio: 98.9; U.S.: 100.1 Cincinnati metro area 99.0 Ohio 98.9 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureCincinnati metro areaOhioU.S.
All items95.492.8100.0
Goods93.893.799.6
Housing (rents)87.673.0100.6
Utilities91.095.898.4
Other services99.098.9100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Ohio paid an average of 19.4¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $158 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.25 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Ohio averages rather than figures for Cincinnati alone.

Energy prices: Ohio vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Ohio: 19.4¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Ohio 19.4¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Ohio: $158; U.S.: $157 Ohio $158 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Ohio: $21.25; U.S.: $19.40 Ohio $21.25 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureOhioU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)19.4¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$158$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.25$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Cincinnati who commute spend an average of 21.4 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (67.1% of workers); 11.9% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $4.19 a gallon in Ohio in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Cincinnati: Drove alone 67.1%, Carpooled 6.4%, Public transit 3.9%, Walked 6.2%, Bicycle 0.4%, Worked from home 11.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 4%. Ohio: Drove alone 75.2%, Carpooled 8.1%, Public transit 1%, Walked 2%, Bicycle 0.4%, Worked from home 11.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.4%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Cincinnati: Drove alone. Cincinnati Cincinnati · Drove alone: 67.1% 67.1% Cincinnati · Carpooled: 6.4% Cincinnati · Public transit: 3.9% Cincinnati · Walked: 6.2% Cincinnati · Bicycle: 0.4% Cincinnati · Worked from home: 11.9% 11.9% Cincinnati · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 4% Ohio Ohio · Drove alone: 75.2% 75.2% Ohio · Carpooled: 8.1% Ohio · Public transit: 1% Ohio · Walked: 2% Ohio · Bicycle: 0.4% Ohio · Worked from home: 11.9% 11.9% Ohio · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.4% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationCincinnatiOhioU.S.
Drove alone67.1%75.2%69.2%
Carpooled6.4%8.1%9.2%
Public transit3.9%1%3.7%
Walked6.2%2%2.4%
Bicycle0.4%0.4%0.5%
Worked from home11.9%11.9%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)4%1.4%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Cincinnati

Travel time to work in Cincinnati Share of workers who do not work from home in Cincinnati by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.9%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.1%. Mean 21.4 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.9% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 10.3% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 19.9% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 16.7% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 10.4% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 13.3% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2.9% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 2.6% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 3.4% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.4% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 21.4 min (Cincinnati) 19.9%
Show the data table
RangeCincinnatiU.S.
Less than 5 min1.9%2.8%
5–9 min10.3%9.4%
10–14 min15.2%13.1%
15–19 min19.9%15%
20–24 min16.7%14.1%
25–29 min10.4%7%
30–34 min13.3%13.7%
35–39 min2.9%3.4%
40–44 min2.6%4.1%
45–59 min3.4%8.3%
60–89 min2.4%6.3%
90 min or more1.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Cincinnati

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $295 a week in Hamilton County, or $15,340 over 52 weeks. That is 70% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Hamilton County Ohio (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $295$222$174
Center-based care, toddler $265$200$153
Center-based care, preschool $232$175$144
Center-based care, school-age $150$126$120
Home-based family care, infant $200$170$143
Home-based family care, toddler $190$165$132
Home-based family care, preschool $175$155$131
Home-based family care, school-age $155$139$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Cincinnati prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Cincinnati?

Median rent is $991 for a one-bedroom and $1,154 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Cincinnati?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 40% pay less than $1,000 a month, 47.9% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 12.2% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Cincinnati?

To keep the median rent of $1,115 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $44,600 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Cincinnati more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area at 95.4 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 4.6% below average. Housing rents score 87.6.

How long is the average commute in Cincinnati?

21.4 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Cincinnati?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $295 a week in Hamilton County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.