Rent vs Buy Calculator — Cincinnati, OH
Prefilled with Cincinnati estimates: a ~$260,000 home (about $52,000 for 20% down) versus ~$1,400/mo rent. Ohio's effective property tax of 1.52% — well above the U.S. average (~1.1%) — adds roughly $3,952/yr, and typical homeowners insurance runs about $1,500/yr. Adjust every field to your actual home below.
Is it better to rent or buy in Cincinnati?
There's no universal answer — it hinges on how long you'll stay, what you'd earn investing the down payment instead, and Ohio's tax and insurance costs. Property tax is the biggest local lever: at 1.52% on a $260,000 home that's about $3,952 every year, before insurance and maintenance. Use the break-even readout above to see the year buying pulls ahead, and the appreciation rate that flips the decision.
What makes Cincinnati, OH different
- Median home price estimate: $260,000
- Typical monthly rent estimate: $1,400
- Ohio effective property tax: 1.52% (~$3,952/yr here)
- Ohio avg. homeowners insurance: $1,500/yr
Starting estimates as of 2026-01 — see the methodology & sources.