CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Cincinnati is slightly cheaper than Reading — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $81,400 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.5%
Cincinnati
87.6
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+7.4%
Cincinnati
93.8
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Cincinnati
104
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Cincinnati
94.1
Reading
92.8
Utilities+18.9%
Cincinnati
91
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$81,400
$1,400 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 1.0178. 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×

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Cincinnati has 2.5% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

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

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

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)

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.