Chicago vs Cincinnati: cost of living compared
Cincinnati is 25% cheaper than Chicago overall. State income tax tops out around 3.5% in OH vs 4.95% in IL.
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 from Chicago to Cincinnati generally means a substantial reduction in overall living expenses. This difference is largely driven by housing costs, which are considerably lower in Cincinnati, but extends across nearly all spending categories. From daily necessities to transportation, Cincinnati offers a more budget-friendly environment compared to the larger Midwestern metropolis.
Housing
Housing presents a significant cost disparity between the two cities. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are noticeably more expensive in Chicago. While Chicago features a mix of high-rise living and traditional homes, Cincinnati offers a broader range of more affordably priced housing, including historic architecture. Property taxes and insurance, which contribute to ownership costs, also tend to be higher in the Illinois city.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, and healthcare are all more costly in Chicago. Additionally, Illinois has a higher state income tax rate than Ohio, impacting take-home pay. Utilities are also somewhat higher in Chicago. These differences mean that routine spending on groceries, medical care, and getting around will be more manageable in Cincinnati.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Chicago, a major global city, offers a bustling, dense urban experience with extensive public transit and a fast pace. Its climate includes cold winters and warm summers, with lake-effect weather. Cincinnati, while still a vibrant city, generally has a more relaxed pace, a smaller footprint, and a climate with distinct seasons. Commute times are also typically shorter in Cincinnati, reflecting its different scale and traffic patterns.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are clear: Cincinnati offers a significantly lower cost of living across the board. The savings on housing alone are substantial, but reduced expenses for everyday necessities, transportation, and state income tax contribute to a much more favorable budget outlook in Ohio. This allows for greater financial flexibility or a potentially higher quality of life for the same income.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Cincinnati, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 88 |
| Housing index | 97 | 66 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 92 |
| Food index | 105 | 92 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 95 |
| Utilities index | 102 | 98 |
| Misc index | 108 | 88 |
| Median home price | $318,000 | $228,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,650/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 34 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.