Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Meridian?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Meridian?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 48% higher in Meridian, ID. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,523

+93% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,540

+88% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,489

+46% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,893

+54% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$485,000

+125% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$98,686

+91% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$49,100

+2% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.4 yr

+4.4 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

38.9%

76.1%

+37.2 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

44.4%

+3.1 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

23.1 min

22.3 min

+0.8 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

150.3

+82% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

583.5

+85% 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

52.5°F

+1.8°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

11.7 in

+30.2 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$4.27/gal

+12% in Meridian, ID

Area: Ohio vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

14.4

+25% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$11.33

+50% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / ID)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

5.30%

+2.5 pp in ID

Cincinnati vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Meridian?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Meridian?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).