City Comparison

Cincinnati vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio
91
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,003
Median Income

Springfield

Oregon
107
Above Average
$378,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$57,600
Median Income

The Verdict

15.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.0%, with Cincinnati being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cincinnati has equivalent purchasing power to $88,187 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
76
Cincinnati
116
Springfield
Groceries
99
Cincinnati
101
Springfield
Utilities
93
Cincinnati
96
Springfield
Transportation
101
Cincinnati
107
Springfield
Healthcare
96
Cincinnati
102
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cincinnati has the same purchasing power as $88,187 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $63,785 in Cincinnati.

Living in Cincinnati vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Cincinnati's housing index of 76 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $378,000. The $183,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,892 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cincinnati compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cincinnati and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cincinnati vs $480/month in Springfield. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Cincinnati and 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Cincinnati vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Cincinnati and 102 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,003 in Cincinnati and $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,355 and $53,832 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,027/month to housing in Cincinnati vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Cincinnati, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati is 15.0% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Cincinnati has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,187 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Cincinnati's housing index is 76 with median homes at $195,000, while Springfield's is 116 with median homes at $378,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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