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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Cincinnati

Ohio
69

San Francisco is 287% more expensive than Cincinnati.

$2,419/mo ↑ 154%
Median Rent
$953/mo ↓ 61%
$141,446/yr ↑ 174%
Median Income
$51,707/yr ↓ 63%
$1,380,500 ↑ 541%
Home Value
$215,300 ↓ 84%
$2,620/mo ↑ 152%
Owner Costs
$1,041/mo ↓ 60%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Cincinnati, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,466/month cheaper in Cincinnati, saving renters about $17,592/year.

Median household income is $89,739/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $215,300 in Cincinnati.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Cincinnati — common questions

Is San Francisco or Cincinnati cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cincinnati is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Cincinnati?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Cincinnati it's $953/month — a difference of $1,466/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Cincinnati?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $51,707 in Cincinnati. Median household income is $89,739/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Cincinnati?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Cincinnati details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Francisco and Cincinnati

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