Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Cincinnati?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cincinnati?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Boise vs Cincinnati Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH — about 36% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Cincinnati, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$791

+23% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$817

+28% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,023

+24% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,228

+30% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$215,300

+53% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$51,707

+36% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$50,170

+2% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.0 yr

+5.2 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

38.9%

+24.1 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

41.3%

+5.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

23.1 min

+4.0 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

856.5

+185% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,877.7

+242% in Cincinnati, OH

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

54.3°F

+1.8°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

41.9 in

+30.2 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.18/gal

+2% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

19.5

+58% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$22.83

+111% in Cincinnati, OH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / OH)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

2.75%

+2.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Cincinnati — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cincinnati?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Cincinnati?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cincinnati?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).