Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Cincinnati and Indianapolis have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Indiana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while Indianapolis sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $220,000 in Indianapolis, a difference of $25,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,100 in Indianapolis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cincinnati scores 99 while Indianapolis scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) match Indianapolis (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $49,968 in Indianapolis. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links