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Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Cincinnati, OH

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

4.2% Cincinnati, OH is cheaper overall
13.0% 13.0% cheaper housing
2.1% 2.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 13.0% cheaper
Houston
92
Cincinnati
80
🛒 Groceries 2.1% more
Houston
94
Cincinnati
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Houston
100
Cincinnati
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Houston
95
Cincinnati
96
⚡ Utilities 7.5% cheaper
Houston
106
Cincinnati
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Houston, TX Cincinnati, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index96924.2% less
Housing928013.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,200$1,05012.5% less
Median Home Price$295,000$215,00027.1% less
Groceries94962.1% more
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare9596~Same
Utilities106987.5% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Houston, TX Cincinnati, OH
State Income TaxNone (0%)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
Cincinnati, OH
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Cincinnati costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Cincinnati to maintain your Houston lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Houston (96) vs Cincinnati (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Houston4.5%
Cincinnati3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Houston3.1%
Cincinnati2.4%
Top Industries
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace
CincinnatiManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Houston30 min
Cincinnati24 min
Walk Score
Houston33
Cincinnati50
Air Quality (AQI)
Houston52
Cincinnati44
Avg Temperature
Houston70°F
Cincinnati54°F
Population
Houston2,304,580
Cincinnati309,317

Moving from Houston to Cincinnati?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Houston and Cincinnati → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Cincinnati →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston or Cincinnati cheaper to live in?+
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 13.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Houston vs Cincinnati?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,200/month in Houston and $1,050/month in Cincinnati — a difference of about $150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Houston or Cincinnati?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Houston to Cincinnati?+
Median household income in Houston is $67,000 compared to $58,000 in Cincinnati. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Houston vs Cincinnati?+
The median home price in Houston is $295,000 versus $215,000 in Cincinnati — a difference of $80,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Ohio averages 1.41%.