Is Cincinnati, OH cheaper or more expensive than Cleveland, OH?

Cincinnati, OH (RPP 93.5) is more expensive than Cleveland, OH (RPP 93.1) by about 0.4%.

What salary do I need in Cincinnati, OH if I earn $100,000 in Cleveland, OH?

You would need approximately $100,430 in Cincinnati, OH to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Cleveland, OH. Formula: $100,000 x (93.5 / 93.1).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Cleveland, OH or Cincinnati, OH?

For 2021-2022, Cleveland, OH had a net loss of 4,299 people, while Cincinnati, OH had a net loss of 104 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Cleveland, OH vs Cincinnati, OH: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Cleveland, OH and Cincinnati, OH. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Cleveland, OH

Overall RPP (US=100): 93.1
Housing RPP: 82.7
Goods RPP: 92.1
2-BR median rent: $1,108/mo

Ohio income tax 0%-3.75%. Cleveland city income tax 2.5%.

Cincinnati, OH

Overall RPP (US=100): 93.5
Housing RPP: 83.7
Goods RPP: 92.4
2-BR median rent: $1,195/mo

Ohio income tax 0%-3.75%. Cincinnati city income tax 1.8%.

Equivalent salary

Cincinnati, OH is more expensive than Cleveland, OH by about 0.4% (RPP 93.1 to 93.5).

$60,000 in Cleveland, OH

-> $60,258

in Cincinnati, OH

$100,000 in Cleveland, OH

-> $100,430

in Cincinnati, OH

$150,000 in Cleveland, OH

-> $150,644

in Cincinnati, OH

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Cleveland, OH vs Cincinnati, OH

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Cleveland, OH

Net people: −4,299
Net rank: #42 of 65
Top origin share: 7%
Top destination share: 8%

Largest source: Summit County, OH. Largest destination: Summit County, OH.

Cincinnati, OH

Net people: −104
Net rank: #33 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 4%

Largest source: Montgomery County, OH. Largest destination: Montgomery County, OH.

Rent delta: Cincinnati, OH is $87/mo higher for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Cleveland, OH. Housing RPP moves from 82.7 to 83.7.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cincinnati, OH cheaper or more expensive than Cleveland, OH?: Cincinnati, OH (RPP 93.5) is more expensive than Cleveland, OH (RPP 93.1) by about 0.4%.
What salary do I need in Cincinnati, OH if I earn $100,000 in Cleveland, OH?: You would need approximately $100,430 in Cincinnati, OH to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Cleveland, OH. Formula: $100,000 x (93.5 / 93.1).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Cleveland, OH or Cincinnati, OH?: For 2021-2022, Cleveland, OH had a net loss of 4,299 people, while Cincinnati, OH had a net loss of 104 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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