CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Irvine, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Cincinnati is significantly cheaper than Irvine — 19.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $95,300 in Irvine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+94.5%
Cincinnati
87.6
Irvine
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.6%
Cincinnati
93.8
Irvine
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.4%
Cincinnati
104
Irvine
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Cincinnati
94.1
Irvine
99.1
Utilities+74.3%
Cincinnati
91
Irvine
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Irvine, CA
$95,300
$15,300 more needed in Irvine

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 1.1908. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

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

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Irvine has 94.5% higher housing costs compared to Cincinnati.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

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

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

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

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.