Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Fresno?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $42,000 in Fresno.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Fresno?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Fresno Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Fresno

California

$1,370/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 $1,370 in Fresno, CA. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $66,804 in Fresno, CA — about 23% higher in Fresno, CA. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Fresno, CA

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,072

+36% in Fresno, CA

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,042

+28% in Fresno, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,293

+26% in Fresno, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,688

+37% in Fresno, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$348,500

+62% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$66,804

+29% in Fresno, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$46,910

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

32.4 yr

+0.6 yr in Cincinnati, OH

Homeownership

38.9%

49.7%

+10.8 pp in Fresno, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

24.9%

+16.4 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

22.3 min

+0.8 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

742.2

+13% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

3,335.3

+14% 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

64.4°F

+10.1°F in Fresno, CA

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

11.5 in

+30.4 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.40/gal

+29% in Fresno, CA

Area: Ohio vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

33.3

+70% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$20.72

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Fresno, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / CA)

5.75%

7.25%

+1.5 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

13.30%

+10.6 pp in CA

Cincinnati vs Fresno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Fresno?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Fresno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $42,000 in Fresno.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Fresno?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).