Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Cincinnati is 3% more affordable than Rochester. A $75,000 salary in Rochester is equivalent to $72,606 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 · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cincinnati scores 99 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) are lower than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cincinnati.
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