Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Rutland?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Rutland?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 6% higher in Rutland, VT. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$791

$893

+13% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$817

$856

+5% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,097

+7% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,207

+2% in Cincinnati, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$176,400

+18% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$55,000

+6% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

48.5 yr

+15.5 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

38.9%

52.7%

+13.8 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

32.2%

+9.1 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

14.7 min

+8.4 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

487.8

+43% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

3,973.3

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+9.7°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

40.5 in

+1.5 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Rutland, VT

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

24.4

+27% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$26.07

+14% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / VT)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

8.75%

+6.0 pp in VT

Cincinnati vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Rutland?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Rutland?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).