City cost comparison
Cincinnati vs Columbus
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Cincinnati, OH against Columbus, OH.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $702 | $765 | +8% cheaper in Cincinnati |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,181 | $1,236 | +4% cheaper in Cincinnati |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $620 | $627 | +1% cheaper in Cincinnati |
| FoodPer child / month | $324 | $331 | +2% cheaper in Cincinnati |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $77 | $80 | +4% cheaper in Cincinnati |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.