HomeCompare › San Francisco, CA vs Cincinnati, OH

Cost of Living: San Francisco, 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.

37.8% Cincinnati, OH is cheaper overall
61.9% 61.9% cheaper housing
16.5% 16.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 61.9% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Cincinnati
80
🛒 Groceries 16.5% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Cincinnati
96
🚗 Transportation 21.9% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Cincinnati
100
🏥 Healthcare 18.6% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Cincinnati
96
⚡ Utilities 9.3% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Cincinnati
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Cincinnati, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index1489237.8% less
Housing2108061.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,05065.0% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$215,00082.8% less
Groceries1159616.5% less
Transportation12810021.9% less
Healthcare1189618.6% less
Utilities108989.3% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, 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

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Cincinnati (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Cincinnati3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Cincinnati2.4%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
CincinnatiManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Cincinnati24 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Cincinnati50
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Cincinnati44
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Cincinnati54°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Cincinnati309,317

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 61.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Cincinnati?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,050/month in Cincinnati — a difference of about $1,950 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Cincinnati?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 San Francisco vs Cincinnati?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $215,000 in Cincinnati — a difference of $1,035,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Ohio averages 1.41%.