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

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Ontario

California
152

Cincinnati is 55% cheaper than Ontario.

$953/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 101%
$51,707/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 60%
$215,300 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 164%
$1,041/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 89%
309,595
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $963/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $11,556/year.

Median household income is $31,099/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Ontario — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Ontario?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $963/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Ontario?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $31,099/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cincinnati and Ontario

Cincinnati vs. Santa Ana Cincinnati vs. Irvine Cincinnati vs. Orlando Cincinnati vs. St. Paul Cincinnati vs. Riverside Cincinnati vs. Newark Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa