Cincinnati is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. It lies along the Ohio River opposite the suburbs of Covington and Newport, Kentucky, 15 miles east of the Indiana border and about 50 miles southwest of Dayton. Cincinnati is Ohio’s third largest city after Columbus and Cleveland which is known for its waterfront real estate, trendy food scene, and bustling business culture. It is often called “Queen City” and offers visitors diverse experiences. Residents and visitors living in Cincinnati can pay a visit to well-known tourist attractions such as the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Zoo and can cheer for major sports teams, including the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals.
You might be interested in Cincinnati cost of living if you are considering take a journey or study there. You will be delightful to hear that living in Cincinnati is really affordable and comfortable. Indeed, the Cincinnati government has declared it to have the lowest cost of living of any large metropolis in the United States. Additionally, It is named the most reasonably priced city in the United States for single tenant. This is everything you need to know about the cost of living in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This blog will provide people who are about to move to Cincinnati a comprehensive guide on cost of living in Cincinnati and how to cut your cost wisely.
Cost of Living in Cincinnati Ohio - Average Living Cost Per Month
For an individual living in Cincinnati, you can expect to budget around USD 23,50 per month. For a family of four, the typical monthly cost of living in Cincinnati is roughly USD 63,50, including rent in downtown areas. The cost of living in Cincinnati for a comfortable lifestyle varies depending on the area where you are thinking of settling, your daily habits, and your preferences.
Cincinnati Cost of Living - Average Salary
According to the United States Census, the median household income in Cincinnati is $45,235. This is lower than the Ohio average of $61,938. If you are searching for jobs in Cincinnati, there are many great options to choose from. Cincinnati has the 28th largest economy in the United States and the 5th largest in the Midwest. There are several Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered in Cincinnati, including Procter & Gamble, The Kroger Company, and Fifth Third Bank.
| Most Common Jobs in Cincinnati | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation Workers | $29,000 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $38,150 |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $41,940 |
| Health Education Specialists | $61,670 |
| Postsecondary Education Teachers | $76,780 |
| Medical Scientists | $102,810 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $189,460 |
| Psychiatrists | $255,240 |
| Neurologists | $617,100 |
Cost of Living Cincinnati - Housing
Accommodation is a big part of the cost of living in Cincinnati, and it depends on where you choose to settle down and how much space you need. individuals need to plan for the accommodation budget before going to Cincinnati. A one-bedroom apartment near the city centre usually costs about USD 1,393 per month, while a three-bedroom apartment could cost around USD 2,846 per month. To find student housing through uhomes.com is the best choice, and we are a trustworthy platform which will provide you with affordable, comfortable and reliable Cincinnati Ohio apartments for rent.
If you are thinking about purchasing Cincinnati real estate in Cincinnati, you will be happy to know Cincinnati real estate market is very affordable. Cincinnati average home price is $280,000 which is much lower than the national average of $422,137.
Cost of Living in Cincinnati Ohio - Transportation
Cincinnati’s dynamic transportation system offers various suitable options for exploring the city. From classic cabs, buses, trams, and ferry rides to the Cincinnati Subway, there are various modes of transportation to suit everyone’s preference. Average cost of a one-way public transport ticket is $1.75. Average annual cost of auto insurance in Cincinnati is $1,035. Average cost of a monthly parking spot in Cincinnati is $100.
Cincinnati Cost of Living - Food
Food is another important factor that influences and consists of large part of cost of living in Cincinnati. On average, a person might spend around USD 97 on groceries, which could be for a week. Grocery costs include everyday items like bread, milk, vegetables, fruits, and more. Knowing these costs can help you plan your budget and make wise purchases. While meal prices in Cincinnati can vary, the average cost of food in Cincinnati is $55 per day. Based on the spending habits, when dining out an average meal in Cincinnati should cost around $22 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Cincinnati is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
| Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | USD 0.80 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | USD 2.69 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | USD 3.58 |
| Apples (1kg) | USD 4.61 |
| Banana (1kg) | USD 1.58 |
| Oranges (1kg) | USD 3.39 |
| Tomato (1kg) | USD 4.79 |
| Potato (1kg) | USD 2.49 |
| Onion (1kg) | USD 2.97 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | USD 1.77 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | USD 1.51 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | USD 2.74 |
| meat, egg, drinks and Other items | USD 64 |
Cost of Living Cincinnati - Utility
The cost of essential utility in Cincinnati is around USD 122, including electricity, water, heating, garbage, internet services, etc. According to the area you choose, the utility cost can affect the cost of living in Cincinnati.
| Utility Type | Approx Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) (for 85m2 Apartment) | USD 122 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | USD 59 |
| Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone with Calls and 10GB+ Data | USD 46 |
Cost of Living in Cincinnati Ohio - Healthcare
Health Insurance
The average cost of health insurance in Cincinnati is $535 per month if you pay full price or $81 per month if you qualify for income-based subsidies. The marketplace offers HMO health plans and the cheapest plan in Cincinnati is Medical Mutual 9450 which costs $326 per month for a 35-year-old adult.
Hospital
Cincinnati Hospital Medical Center provides a list of customary charges for certain services, such as x-rays, laboratory work, and emergency room visits. You can also contact their customer service department for an estimate of the price you will pay for a service.
UC Cincinnati
Students are automatically enrolled in a UC Student Health Insurance plan unless they opt out annually. For the 2023-2024 school year, the insurance rate for a single student was $1,254 per semester. When seeing a doctor outside of University Health Services, students must meet a $500 deductible at the beginning of each plan year, and then pay a 20% co-insurance after that. Insurance covers the remaining 80%, up to a maximum out-of-pocket of $5,000 per plan year.
Cincinnati Cost of Living - Education
In the Cincinnati area, we looked at in-state public school tuition for the 2024-2025 year:
University of Cincinnati: $13,000
The Ohio State University: $12,500
Ohio University: $14,000
Miami University of Ohio: $17,000 (though most in-state students get a discount. In addition, students are able to lock in their freshman year rate for 4 years.)
Northern Kentucky University in-state tuition: $10,500 (many students in southwest Ohio also qualify for the in-state rate under a reciprocity program)
Cincinnati State bills by credit hour, as many students are not full time. But a full time program would cost roughly $5,000.
Cost of Living Cincinnati - Entertainment
Scene75 Entertainment Center is a famous tourist attraction in Cincinnati which is intriguing for visitors at home and abroad. Attractions at Scene75 cost between $2–$8.50 per person and arcade games cost between $.25–$3.00. Scene75 also offers unlimited attraction passes that include rides, go-karts, mini-golf, and more. Unlimited attraction passes do not include arcade games but they can be added on. Scene75 also offers deals like an early bird option for $19.99 for 1.5 hours of unlimited attractions and a Friday family fun night with unlimited rides and pizza for $1.
Methodology of Cost of Living in Cincinnati Ohio
Cincinnati Ohio Cost of Living Index
One way to better understand the Cincinnati, Ohio cost of living is to take a look at the Cost of Living Index. The Cost of Living Index, otherwise known as COLI, compares the everyday cost of goods and services in a given area to the national average. The Cincinnati Cost of Living Index is 92.2. This means that the average cost of living in Cincinnati is 7.8% more affordable than the national average of 100. The Cost of Living Index in the state of Ohio is 91, meaning Cincinnati is only 1.2% more expensive than the state average.
Consumer Price Index in Cincinnati Ohio
One way to know whether Cincinnati is expensive is to take a look at the Consumer Price Index. It is conducted monthly and lists the prices that consumers pay when living in a city. Cincinnati is a part of the Midwest region. In the Cincinnati area, prices have risen 0.3% over the past few months and 2.9% over the past year. Expenses such as food and beverages, accommodation, and healthcare have all risen over the past few months, while expenses such as transportation and energy have all declined.
Consumer Expenditure Survey in Cincinnati Ohio
Another great way to assess the cost of living in Cincinnati is to take a look at the Consumer Expenditure Survey. This survey is conducted by the Census Bureau and provides data on expenditures, income, and demographic characteristics of consumers in the country. According to the latest survey, Cincinnati households spent an average of $63,254 throughout the 2023 calendar year. This is lower than any other region in the United States, aside from the Southern region. It is also lower than the national average of $65,638.
Things to Know When Moving to Cincinnati Ohio
Whether you relocate for study or employment in Cincinnati, you can consider some key factors that are given below that can significantly enhance your experience when moving to the city.
- Weather in Cincinnati
Cincinnati is at the southern limit of the humid continental climate zone, bordering the humid subtropical climate zone. Summers are hot and humid, with significant rainfall in each month and highs reaching 90 °F or above on 21 days per year, often with high dew points and humidity. July is the warmest month, with a daily average temperature of 75.9 °F. Winters tend to be cold and moderately snowy, with January, the coldest month, averaging at 30.8 °F.
- Sports
Cincinnati has three major league teams, three minor league teams, five college institutions with sports teams, and seven major sports venues. Cincinnati’s three major league teams are Major League Baseball’s Reds, who were named for America’s first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings; the Bengals of the National Football League; and FC Cincinnati, which became a Major League Soccer franchise in 2019. Cincinnati is ranked as the No. 12 best sports city.
- Higher Education
The Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection is a consortium consisting of all of the accredited colleges and universities in the Cincinnati area. The University of Cincinnati is a public research university and is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati, making it the second largest university in Ohio.
- Healthcare
The city of Cincinnati participated in the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program with the goal of using information technology (IT) to build a shared infrastructure that notified primary care practices when a patient was admitted to the hospital or emergency department. With the involvement of healthcare practitioners in Cincinnati, they were successful in creating a new technology system to improve patient care.
- Notable People from Cincinnati
Stan Aronoff – member of Ohio Senate 1967–1996, its president from 1989–96. Marcellus Bailey–patent attorney for Alexander Graham Bell.
How to Save Cincinnati Cost of Living
- Record Your Expenses
The first step to start saving cost of living is figuring out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, household item and cash tip as well as regular monthly bills.
- Set Your Budget
Now that you know what you spend in a month, you can begin to create a budget. Your budget should show what your expenses are relative to your income, so that you can plan your spending and limit overspending.
- Set Savings Goals
One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking about what you might want to save for—both in the short term and the long term. Then estimate how much money you’ll need and how long it might take you to save it.
Conclusion
Living in Cincinnati offers a unique blend of affordability and convenience, where attracts many people at home and abroad. In Cincinnati, it seems like getting around is either a bargain or a burden, depending on your mode of life style. With this comprehensive and detailed blog, you can have a better understanding of cost of living in Cincinnati and cut your cost.
After you have determined to move to Cincinnati, accommodation is the first and foremost thing. uhomes.com will provide you with affordable, comfortable and reliable Cincinnati Ohio apartments for rent.
FAQ
Cincinnati, Ohio’s cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary and the real estate market of that area.
According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator, the salary needed to live in Cincinnati is $79,821 for a family of four with two kids and two adults.
In July 2024, the median listing home price in Cincinnati, OH was $289.9K, trending up 3.6% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $177. The median home sold price was $292.5K.
Over the Rhine. Over the Rhine is the most expensive neighborhood in Cincinnati, as the rent for a one-bedroom unit is more than $600 over the average.
The Cincinnati metro has grown by 12.7% since 2000, averaging gains of 11,169 residents per year.
- Cincinnati’s Thriving Job Market.
- Affordable Cost of Living in Cincinnati.
- Rich Cultural Scene in and Around the Cincinnati Area.
- Beautiful Parks and Green Spaces: Eden Park, Ohio Trail and More.
- Excellent Education in Cincinnati: Universities and Colleges.
In the 1800s, German immigrants settled in Over-the-Rhine and started brewing beer—so much beer in fact that Cincinnati came to be known as the “Beer Capital of the World.” Today Cincinnati is still famous for beer and is home to over 50 breweries.
Cincinnati’s crime rate is technically below the national average, but some neighborhoods have higher rates. Travelers simply need to avoid dodgy neighborhoods and stay in tourist-friendly areas while they visit. According to the statistics, Cincinnati’s crime rates reached a 10-year low in January 2024.
