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

Cincinnati

Ohio
69
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Cincinnati is 31% cheaper than Wilmington.

$953/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 38%
$51,707/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 24%
$215,300 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 63%
$1,041/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 32%
309,595
Population
118,578

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
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cincinnati, OH and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $358/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $4,296/year.

Median household income is $12,193/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cincinnati is $215,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Cincinnati or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cincinnati and Wilmington?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $953/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $358/month.
Which city has higher income, Cincinnati or Wilmington?
Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $12,193/year higher in Wilmington.
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 Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $953/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cincinnati details → View Wilmington details →

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