Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cincinnati?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Cincinnati Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH — about 31% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Cincinnati, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$791

+33% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$817

+35% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,023

+27% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,228

+21% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$215,300

+32% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$51,707

+31% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$50,170

+8% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.0 yr

+2.7 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

38.9%

+6.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

41.3%

+2.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

23.1 min

+10.4 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

856.5

+59% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,877.7

+11% 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

52.7°F

54.3°F

+1.6°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

41.9 in

+4.0 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.18/gal

+3% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

19.5

+18% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$22.83

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / OH)

6.25%

5.75%

+0.5 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.75%

+2.2 pp in IL

Chicago vs Cincinnati — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Cincinnati?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Cincinnati?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Cincinnati?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).