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Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA 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.

22.0% Cincinnati, OH is cheaper overall
43.7% 43.7% cheaper housing
7.7% 7.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 43.7% cheaper
Sacramento
142
Cincinnati
80
🛒 Groceries 7.7% cheaper
Sacramento
104
Cincinnati
96
🚗 Transportation 10.7% cheaper
Sacramento
112
Cincinnati
100
🏥 Healthcare 11.1% cheaper
Sacramento
108
Cincinnati
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Sacramento
100
Cincinnati
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Sacramento, CA Cincinnati, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index1189222.0% less
Housing1428043.7% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,650$1,05036.4% less
Median Home Price$450,000$215,00052.2% less
Groceries104967.7% less
Transportation11210010.7% less
Healthcare1089611.1% less
Utilities10098~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Sacramento, CA Cincinnati, OH
State Income Tax13.30% (top)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Sacramento, CA
$78,000
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 Sacramento lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Sacramento (118) vs Cincinnati (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Sacramento4.2%
Cincinnati3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Sacramento2.7%
Cincinnati2.4%
Top Industries
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture
CincinnatiManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Sacramento27 min
Cincinnati24 min
Walk Score
Sacramento44
Cincinnati50
Air Quality (AQI)
Sacramento50
Cincinnati44
Avg Temperature
Sacramento61°F
Cincinnati54°F
Population
Sacramento524,943
Cincinnati309,317

Moving from Sacramento to Cincinnati?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Sacramento 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

Sacramento vs Austin → Sacramento vs Denver → Sacramento vs Nashville → Cincinnati vs Raleigh → Cincinnati vs Portland → Cincinnati vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento 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 43.7%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs Cincinnati?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,650/month in Sacramento and $1,050/month in Cincinnati — a difference of about $600 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Sacramento or Cincinnati?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Sacramento to Cincinnati?+
Median household income in Sacramento is $78,000 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 Sacramento vs Cincinnati?+
The median home price in Sacramento is $450,000 versus $215,000 in Cincinnati — a difference of $235,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Ohio averages 1.41%.