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

Fresno

California
101
VS

Cincinnati

Ohio
69

Fresno is 46% more expensive than Cincinnati.

$1,324/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$953/mo ↓ 28%
$66,804/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$51,707/yr ↓ 23%
$348,500 ↑ 62%
Home Value
$215,300 ↓ 38%
$1,391/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,041/mo ↓ 25%
543,615
Population
309,595

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Cincinnati, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $371/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $4,452/year.

Median household income is $15,097/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $215,300 in Cincinnati.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Cincinnati — common questions

Is Fresno or Cincinnati cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Cincinnati?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Cincinnati it's $953/month — a difference of $371/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Cincinnati?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $51,707 in Cincinnati. Median household income is $15,097/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Ohio?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Cincinnati?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Cincinnati has a cost index of 69 with rent of $953/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Cincinnati details →

More Comparisons

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