Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tacoma?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tacoma?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 38% higher in Tacoma, WA. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,178

+49% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,332

+63% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,693

+65% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$2,094

+71% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$454,600

+111% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$83,857

+62% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$72,610

+45% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.3 yr

+4.3 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

38.9%

56.5%

+17.6 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

33.5%

+7.8 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

29.0 min

+5.9 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

1,064.4

+24% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,877.7

5,695.2

+47% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+2.2°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

43.0 in

+1.1 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.12/gal

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Ohio vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

14.9

+23% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$20.41

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / WA)

5.75%

6.5%

+0.8 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tacoma?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tacoma?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).