Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
23% cheaper
Cincinnati is 23% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $57,839 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 · Colorado salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $325,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cincinnati scores 99 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) are lower than Denver (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Cincinnati.
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