Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
29% cheaper
Cincinnati is 29% more affordable than Riverside. A $75,000 salary in Riverside is equivalent to $53,320 in Cincinnati.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $305,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cincinnati scores 99 while Riverside scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) are lower than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cincinnati.
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