Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Cincinnati is 5% cheaper than Fayetteville.

$953/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 24%
$51,707/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↑ 9%
$215,300 ↑ 25%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 20%
$1,041/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 11%
309,595
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $226/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $2,712/year.

Median household income is $4,688/year higher in Fayetteville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $226/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $4,688/year higher in Fayetteville.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and North Carolina?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cincinnati or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

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