Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Cincinnati and San Antonio 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 · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while San Antonio sits at 78 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $250,000 in San Antonio, a difference of $55,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,200 in San Antonio.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cincinnati scores 99 while San Antonio scores 93.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) are higher than San Antonio (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $53,420 in San Antonio. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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