CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Cincinnati, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Cincinnati is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $72,500 in Cincinnati. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing44.2%
Boulder
157
Cincinnati
87.6
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Boulder
96.1
Cincinnati
93.8
🚗 Transportation0.8%
Boulder
104.8
Cincinnati
104
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Boulder
94.8
Cincinnati
94.1
Utilities+10.0%
Boulder
82.7
Cincinnati
91

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Cincinnati to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Cincinnati, OH
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Cincinnati

Formula: salary × (95.4 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9068. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Boulder has 44.2% lower housing costs compared to Cincinnati.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.