Boston vs Cincinnati: cost of living compared
Cincinnati is 46% cheaper than Boston overall. State income tax tops out around 3.5% in OH vs 5% in MA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Boston and Cincinnati presents a stark difference in overall cost of living. Boston is considerably more expensive across nearly all categories, making it one of the priciest major metros. Cincinnati, by contrast, offers a significantly more affordable lifestyle, with its overall expenses falling well below the national average. The primary driver of this substantial difference is housing costs.
Housing
Housing in Boston is dramatically more expensive, whether buying or renting, with median home prices and typical rents far exceeding those in Cincinnati. Boston's housing stock often includes older, multi-family homes and historic brownstones, while Cincinnati offers a broader mix, including many single-family homes, often with more space for the money. Property taxes and insurance costs will also reflect these valuation differences.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in Boston. While both states have income taxes, Ohio's top marginal rate is somewhat lower than Massachusetts'. This means that beyond housing, nearly every aspect of routine spending, from groceries to medical care, will require a larger portion of your income in Boston compared to Cincinnati.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Boston offers a dense, historic urban environment with extensive public transit and a distinct four-season climate, including cold, snowy winters. Cincinnati, nestled in a river valley, experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, and generally relies more on personal vehicles for getting around. Boston's pace of life is often perceived as faster and more bustling, while Cincinnati offers a more relaxed, Midwestern feel.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are substantial. A budget that provides a comfortable standard of living in Cincinnati would require a significantly larger income to maintain a similar lifestyle in Boston. The savings on housing alone in Cincinnati would allow for considerable financial flexibility, making it a much more budget-friendly option for most individuals and families.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Cincinnati, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 162 | 88 |
| Housing index | 194 | 66 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 92 |
| Food index | 115 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 135 | 98 |
| Misc index | 122 | 88 |
| Median home price | $698,000 | $228,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,850/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 32 min | 26 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Cincinnati home with the True Cost Calculator.