Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Cincinnati is 73% cheaper than Berkeley.

$953/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 123%
$51,707/yr ↓ 52%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 110%
$215,300 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 528%
$1,041/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 125%
309,595
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,174/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $14,088/year.

Median household income is $56,851/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cincinnati slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Berkeley?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $1,174/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Berkeley?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $56,851/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and California?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Cincinnati or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Berkeley details →

More Comparisons

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