CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Cincinnati is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 17.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $93,800 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+104.7%
Cincinnati
87.6
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+15.1%
Cincinnati
93.8
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Cincinnati
104
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Cincinnati
94.1
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+91.4%
Cincinnati
91
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$93,800
$13,800 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 1.1730. 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×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 104.7% 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

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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)

San Diego, 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.