Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Provo?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Provo?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 18% higher in Provo, UT. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,009

+28% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$817

$978

+20% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,128

+10% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,381

+12% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$437,100

+103% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$62,800

+21% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$48,010

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

23.7 yr

+9.3 yr in Cincinnati, OH

Homeownership

38.9%

39.9%

+1.0 pp in Provo, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

45.0%

+3.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.5 min

+4.6 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

205.7

+76% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,280.6

+67% 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

53.4°F

+0.9°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

19.8 in

+22.2 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$4.27/gal

+12% in Provo, UT

Area: Ohio vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

13.4

+30% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$11.84

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / UT)

5.75%

6.1%

+0.3 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.50%

+1.8 pp in UT

Cincinnati vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Provo?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Provo?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).