Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Denver?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Denver?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 44% higher in Denver, CO. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,497

+89% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,583

+94% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,958

+91% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$2,269

+85% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$586,700

+173% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$91,681

+77% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$62,320

+24% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.2 yr

+2.2 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

38.9%

49.1%

+10.2 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

55.6%

+14.3 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

23.1 min

25.4 min

+2.3 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

999.3

+17% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

3,877.7

4,781.1

+23% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+4.1°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

15.6 in

+26.4 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$4.27/gal

+2% in Denver, CO

Area: Ohio vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

16.2

+17% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$11.92

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / CO)

5.75%

2.9%

+2.9 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.40%

+1.7 pp in CO

Cincinnati vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Denver?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Denver?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).