Cost of Living in Cincinnati, OH 2023

Cincinnati is an up-and-coming city, ranking in the top 10 most-affordable cities in the United States. In addition to a reasonably low cost of living, Cincinnati also offers its residents an extensive park system, countless local breweries, and a thriving arts scene. Needless to say, Cincinnati is an excellent place for young families with tons of options for all ages.

Known as the Queen of the West or the Queen City, Cincinnati’s nickname pays homage to the late resident, the queen consort of the British King George III, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Whether you’re moving to Cincinnati to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living, the incredible park system, or a combination of both, you’ll want to get a good idea of what your costs will look like. Let’s look at the cost of living in Cincinnati to understand better how much you need to live there.

Cincinnati Housing Costs

It’s common for the winter months to bring cold weather. Fortunately, that cold weather provides a drop in rental prices. Cincinnati has followed these national trends with declining rent prices over the past month. According to the latest Rent Report on Cincinnati, the median rent index is $823 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,030 for a two-bedroom.

Although Cincinnati has only seen an increase of 5.6% in rent prices year-over-year. The city's year-over-year rent growth lags behind the state average of 5.7%, falling below the national average of 4.0%.

Various major cities across the country have seen their rent increases slow down over the last year. Some of the most popular cities, including their year-over-year growth, across the country, include New York (+3.6), Phoenix (+0.5%), and Miami (+8.7%). The median rent index for a two-bedroom apartment in these cities is $1,948, $1,202, and $1,622, respectively.

The Cincinnati housing market has seen steady, significant growth, with median home prices currently at $234,000. Compared to other major cities across the country, these prices are remarkable considering the median price index of New York is now at $795,000, Phoenix at $449,900, and Raleigh at $434,900.

Finding the Best Cincinnati Apartment for You

If you're uncertain about a neighborhood, consider a month-to-month apartment before making a long-term 12 month commitment. If it's your first time renting or if you don't have a high credit score, consider no credit check apartments. Lastly, if you prefer to rent from the owner of an apartment and have a more personal relationship with them rather than property managers, consider a for rent by owner apartment.

Cincinnati Transportation

Cincinnati’s official public transportation operator is the Metro, serving Hamilton, Warren, Butler, and Clermont counties into Cincinnati. Metro operates 365 days a year as early as 4:00 am to 1:30 am.

Public transportation in Cincinnati is not the most dependable, so you will most likely need to have a vehicle of your own. If you plan to make the most out of living in Cincinnati, you’ll probably want to have a car to get around and see all of the sights.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $5,305 for transportation in Cincinnati annually. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $14,456 for transportation annually. Gasoline prices are around $3.70 per gallon, lower than the national average of $3.80.

Cincinnati Food Costs

Cincinnati offers countless dining options with a handful of authentic foods you have to add to your must-eat list, including Cincinnati-Style Chili, goetta, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and Buckeyes.

Eating out in Cincinnati costs an average of $13.50 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, while a three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant runs $60 without alcohol or dessert.

If you're a single adult without children, you can expect to pay at least $3,423 on food per year. However, if you're a family of four with two working adults and two children, you can expect to pay $10,068 per year for food.

You can anticipate paying below the national average for food items from local grocery stores like Kroger, Remke, or Whole Foods Market. For example, one gallon of regular milk costs $3.01 in the grocery store, while the national average is $3.84.

Cincinnati Healthcare Costs

When planning your budget in Cincinnati, account for proper medical care. A single adult without children will pay around $2,637 for medical care over the year. Two working adults with two children will pay $6,921.

Cincinnati Utilities

Winters in Cincinnati are extremely cold and snowy. The coldest days of the year fall in January, with an average overnight temperature falling below 25°. Summers are known for being warm and muggy. July is the hottest month with an average daytime high of 86°.

To combat the snowy winters and muggy summers, you'll need to account for higher utilities year-round to stay comfortable. Cincinnati’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $125.84 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment.

Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $57.50 for a total of $183.34 each month.

Before moving, it’s a good idea to find out how much utilities will cost in an apartment so you can get a better idea of what to expect and budget accordingly.

Cincinnati Fitness and Entertainment

With four very different seasons in Cincinnati, you’ll want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit throughout the year. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult is $28.25.

Otherwise, when weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Cincinnati outdoors. Enjoy hiking trails along the Riverwalk, Lunken Playfield, or Parkers Woods. Cincinnati’s other great walking and hiking paths can be found at California Woods Nature Preserve, French Park, and LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Preserve.

Thankfully, if you prefer to stay indoors, there are plenty of entertainment options throughout the city. For example, if you enjoy the local cinema, it will cost you $12.75 without snacks or drinks. You can save a few bucks by checking out one of the 41 incredible parks in Cincinnati, with fun outdoor activities for all ages.

Other Expenses to Consider in Cincinnati

Ohio has a progressive income tax rate and a remarkably low state tax. In Cincinnati, the Ohio state sales tax is 5.75%, and the Hamilton County sales tax rate adds another 2.05%, making the total sales tax rate for the city 7.80%.

Aside from taxes, anyone moving out of state to Cincinnati will need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. These types of moves often come with additional fees, including application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and more.

Another often overlooked expense that quickly adds up is furnishing your new home. You can check out some tips and tricks on decorating your apartment on a budget to help you save a few bucks during your big move.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Cincinnati?

Your recommended salary in Cincinnati depends entirely on the type of lifestyle you plan to lead. The living wage in Cincinnati is $15.28 per hour, which is the basic wage needed to pay for essentials like housing, food, and necessities. When calculating your budget, keep in mind that extra costs like dining and entertainment are not a part of the living wage.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Cincinnati is $45,235 per year, or roughly $12.56 an hour.

To determine what salary you should be searching for in Cincinnati, you can also consider following the 30% rule for rent. If you plan to follow this rule, you should not be spending more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent.

For example, if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Cincinnati at $823, your monthly wages should be at least $32,290 a year, according to the 30% rule. This recommended salary is for a fundamental lifestyle while in Cincinnati.

Remember that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary are three very different things. Additional living costs, including dining, entertainment, etc., are other things you’ll need to anticipate as well. Once you add in these costs, you might find that you’ll need to search for a cheaper apartment, a higher salary, or possibly, both.

Thankfully, the typical annual salaries for common professions in Cincinnati are highly competitive. The three highest typical annual salaries belong to Management, Legal, and Architecture and Engineering positions, respectively.

Job Market in Cincinnati

The good news for anyone looking to call Cincinnati home is that it provides a low cost of living and a strong job market. The unemployment rate in Cincinnati is lower than the national average of 8.1%, currently at 7.0%.

While Cincinnati has deep roots in the meatpacking industry, it has evolved into a city with much more . Various Fortune 500 companies are significant employers in Cincinnati, including Procter & Gamble and Kroger. Other major industries in Cincinnati include science and health care.

Final Thoughts

If you are interested in moving to Cincinnati, a city filled with diversity and excellent school systems, then you’ll need to determine which Cincinnati neighborhood is best for you and learn how to apartment hunt. Then, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the hundreds of available apartments to rent in Cincinnati!

FAQs: What to Know About the Cost of Living in Cincinnati

How expensive is an apartment in Cincinnati?

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cincinnati costs $823. A two-bedroom apartment in Cincinnati costs $1,030. Cincinai's rents increased 5.6% year-over-year. However, the growth still lags over the state average of 5.7%. Rents in Cinnati also lag behind the national average of 4.0%

What is the cheapest rent in Cincinnati?

The cheapest rent in Cincinnati is $823 for a one-bedroom apartment.

How expensive is it to live in Cincinnati?

The rent averages $823 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Cincinnati. It costs $5,305 on transportation costs annually for one person. A family of four with two children will spend around $14,456 a year.

Cincinnati restaurants average $13.50 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant runs $60 without alcohol or dessert. Individuals can pay $3,423 on food per year. A family of four with two working adults and two children will pay an average of $10,068 per year for food.

How far is Cincinnati from Columbus?

Cincinnati to Columbus, Ohio is 106.6 miles via I-71 S. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Columbus to Cincinnati.

How far is Cincinnati from Indianapolis?

Cincinnati to Indianapolis is 112.3 miles via I-74. It takes one hour and 45-minutes to drive from Cincinnati to Indianapolis.

How far is Cincinnati from Kansas City?

Cincinnati to Kansas City, MO is 5891. miles via I-70 E. It takes almost 9 hours to drive between Cincinnati and Kansas City on the Missouri side. It's

Cincinnati to Kansas City, KS is 592 miles via I-70 E. It takes almost 9 hours to drive between Cincinnati and Kansas City on the Kansas side.

What is the population of Cincinnati?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population of Cincinnati was 308,935 in 2020. Ohio’s population is 11,756,058.

What is a good salary in Cincinnati?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the median salary in Cincinnati is $45,235. If you want to spend the recommended 30% of your income on rent, you will need to earn $32,920 to live in a one-bedroom apartment that costs $823 in Cincinnati. You can live well in Cincinnati on an average salary in a one or two bedroom apartment.