Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Wichita?

Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Wichita?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 18% higher in Wichita, KS. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$791

$726

+8% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$817

$761

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$976

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,199

+2% in Cincinnati, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$179,500

+17% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$63,072

+22% in Wichita, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$47,630

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.7 yr

+2.7 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

38.9%

58.4%

+19.5 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

30.9%

+10.4 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.9 min

+4.2 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

1,238.7

+45% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

3,877.7

5,284.9

+36% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+2.7°F in Wichita, KS

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

32.6 in

+9.3 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.94/gal

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

15.1

+22% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$25.12

+10% in Wichita, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / KS)

5.75%

6.5%

+0.8 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

5.58%

+2.8 pp in KS

Cincinnati vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Wichita?: Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Wichita?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).