Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Cincinnati and Abilene have a similar cost of living.

$953/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 16%
$51,707/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 21%
$215,300 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 17%
$1,041/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 7%
309,595
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $153/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $1,836/year.

Median household income is $11,013/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Abilene — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Abilene?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $153/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Abilene?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $11,013/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Texas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Cincinnati or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cincinnati and Abilene

Cincinnati vs. Santa Ana Cincinnati vs. Irvine Cincinnati vs. Orlando Cincinnati vs. St. Paul Cincinnati vs. Riverside Cincinnati vs. Newark Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland