Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tampa?

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

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

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 Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tampa?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$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 Tampa, FL. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 27% higher in Tampa, FL. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$791

$1,242

+57% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,324

+62% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,673

+64% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,729

+41% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$375,300

+74% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$71,302

+38% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$48,940

+2% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.6 yr

+2.6 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

38.9%

50.2%

+11.3 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

44.6%

+3.3 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

23.1 min

24.7 min

+1.6 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

443.2

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,473.2

+62% 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

73.4°F

+19.1°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

46.3 in

+4.4 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.77/gal

+10% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

15.2

+22% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$23.62

+3% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tampa, FL

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / FL)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tampa?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Tampa?: 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 Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tampa?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).