Cost of Living: Cincinnati, OH vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Cincinnati is 47% cheaper than Meridian.

$953/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 80%
$51,707/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 91%
$215,300 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 125%
$1,041/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 54%
309,595
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.8%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $761/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $9,132/year.

Median household income is $46,979/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Meridian — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Meridian?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $761/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Meridian?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $46,979/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Idaho?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Cincinnati or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cincinnati and Meridian

Cincinnati vs. Santa Ana Cincinnati vs. Irvine Cincinnati vs. Orlando Cincinnati vs. St. Paul Cincinnati vs. Riverside Cincinnati vs. Newark Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord