Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Fort Worth?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $48,000 in Fort Worth.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Fort Worth?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Fort Worth under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Fort Worth Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Fort Worth

Texas

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Fort Worth, TX. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fort Worth, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $76,602 in Fort Worth, TX — about 32% higher in Fort Worth, TX. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Fort Worth, TX

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,310

+66% in Fort Worth, TX

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,191

+46% in Fort Worth, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,393

+36% in Fort Worth, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,721

+40% in Fort Worth, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$277,300

+29% in Fort Worth, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$76,602

+48% in Fort Worth, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$51,440

+3% in Fort Worth, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

33.4 yr

+0.4 yr in Fort Worth, TX

Homeownership

38.9%

56.7%

+17.8 pp in Fort Worth, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

31.7%

+9.6 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

26.9 min

+3.8 min in Fort Worth, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

465.2

+46% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

2,735.7

+29% 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

65.7°F

+11.4°F in Fort Worth, TX

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

36.1 in

+5.8 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.62/gal

+13% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

16.4

+16% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$30.48

+34% in Fort Worth, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Fort Worth, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / TX)

5.75%

6.25%

+0.5 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Fort Worth — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Fort Worth?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Fort Worth?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $48,000 in Fort Worth.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Fort Worth?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Fort Worth under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).