Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $29,000 in Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Laramie?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/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 $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 1% higher in Laramie, WY. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$791

$667

+16% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$817

$728

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$883

+14% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,423

+16% in Laramie, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$302,200

+40% in Laramie, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$52,414

+1% in Laramie, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

26.9 yr

+6.1 yr in Cincinnati, OH

Homeownership

38.9%

44.1%

+5.2 pp in Laramie, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

55.8%

+14.5 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

23.1 min

13.5 min

+9.6 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

129.6

+85% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,175.9

+70% 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

41.0°F

+13.3°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

10.9 in

+31.0 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$4.27/gal

+12% in Laramie, WY

Area: Ohio vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

15.2

+21% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$18.28

+20% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Laramie, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / WY)

5.75%

+1.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Laramie?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).