Living Cost Compare
Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 47% higher in South Burlington, 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
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$791
$1,557
+97% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$817
$1,533
+88% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,023
$1,805
+76% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,228
$2,356
+92% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$215,300
$399,600
+86% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$51,707
$97,229
+88% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,170
$60,020
+20% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.0 yr
38.8 yr
+5.8 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
38.9%
60.1%
+21.2 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.3%
65.1%
+23.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
23.1 min
18.9 min
+4.2 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
856.5
239.4
+72% in Cincinnati, OH
Property Crime
3,877.7
4,446
+15% in South Burlington, 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
46.0°F
+8.3°F in Cincinnati, OH
Annual Precipitation
41.9 in
36.8 in
+5.1 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.80/gal
$3.94/gal
+4% in South Burlington, VT

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.2
24.4
+27% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.83
$26.07
+14% in South Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Cincinnati, OH
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / VT)
5.75%
6%
+0.3 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
2.75%
8.75%
+6.0 pp in VT

Cincinnati vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or South Burlington?
Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or South Burlington?
Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); South Burlington 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).