Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Concord?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Concord?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 38% higher in Concord, NH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$791

$876

+11% in Concord, NH

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,134

+39% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,475

+44% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,769

+44% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$323,700

+50% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$83,701

+62% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

40.7 yr

+7.7 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

38.9%

57.4%

+18.5 pp in Concord, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

40.1%

+1.2 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

23.2 min

+0.1 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

180.7

+79% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,251.5

+68% 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

54.3°F

46.4°F

+7.9°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

40.6 in

+1.3 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Concord, NH

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

27.0

+41% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$21.67

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / NH)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Concord?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Concord?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).