Cost of Living Comparison Between Manhattan, KS and Cincinnati, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Manhattan, KS and Cincinnati, OH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,259 per month in Manhattan, KS vs $2,340 in Cincinnati, OH, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,228 per month in Manhattan, KS vs $3,501 in Cincinnati, OH, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,197 per month in Manhattan, KS vs $4,662 in Cincinnati, OH, rent included.

Manhattan, KS is about 3% cheaper than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Manhattan, KS and Cincinnati, OH sit above the global median – Manhattan, KS by 64%, Cincinnati, OH by 70%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.11 $15.11
$15.21 $15.21
-0.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.6 $79.6
$50.5 $50.5
57.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.88 $11.88
$9.95 $9.95
19.40%
Cappuccino
$5.38 $5.38
$4.89 $4.89
10.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$2.31 $2.31
-15.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49 $1.49
$1.90 $1.90
-21.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.02 $5.02
$5.46 $5.46
-8.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.36 $7.36
$7.59 $7.59
-3.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.76 $0.76
$0.94 $0.94
-19.15%
White Bread (500g)
$3.18 $3.18
$3.27 $3.27
-2.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.22 $6.22
$4.19 $4.19
48.45%
Eggs
$4.47 $4.47
$4.26 $4.26
4.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.74 $11.74
$13.00 $13.00
-9.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.70 $8.70
$10.98 $10.98
-20.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.66 $14.66
$16.24 $16.24
-9.73%
Apples (1kg)
$7.01 $7.01
$5.61 $5.61
24.96%
Banana (1kg)
$2.29 $2.29
$1.59 $1.59
44.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.04 $6.04
$4.44 $4.44
36.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.22 $4.22
$4.60 $4.60
-8.26%
Potato (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$2.60 $2.60
18.85%
Onion (1kg)
$3.78 $3.78
$3.20 $3.20
18.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.90 $1.90
$2.01 $2.01
-5.47%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.67 $2.67
$1.85 $1.85
44.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.07 $10.07
$10.33 $10.33
-2.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.32 $17.32
$14.96 $14.96
15.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.13 $2.13
-19.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43 $2.43
$3.05 $3.05
-20.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$2.60 $2.60
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.9 $60.9
$106 $106
-42.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.15 $5.15
$3.77 $3.77
36.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 $1.90
$1.27 $1.27
49.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.62 $35.62
$25.36 $25.36
40.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.08 $1.08
-19.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1K $36.1K
$35.5K $35.5K
1.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K $24.7K
$25.8K $25.8K
-4.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$122 $122
$152 $152
-19.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.1 $50.1
$76.8 $76.8
-34.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.3 $64.3
$70.8 $70.8
-9.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$74.6 $74.6
$34.48 $34.48
116.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.95 $13.95
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.78 $14.78
$14.23 $14.23
3.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$838 $838
$1,438 $1,438
-41.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K $11.6K
$19.6K $19.6K
-40.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.3 $50.3
$45.81 $45.81
9.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.19 $35.19
$44.91 $44.91
-21.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.6 $89.6
$81.8 $81.8
9.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129 $129
$110 $110
17.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$916 $916
$1,635 $1,635
-43.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,002 $1,002
$1,062 $1,062
-5.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,507 $1,507
$3,158 $3,158
-52.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,434 $1,434
$1,853 $1,853
-22.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,399 $1,399
$3,437 $3,437
-59.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,406 $1,406
$2,134 $2,134
-34.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manhattan, KS
Cincinnati, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,479 $3,479
$4,184 $4,184
-16.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.03
6.21
-2.90%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Manhattan, KS: August 30, 2026

Last update for Cincinnati, OH: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $916 in Manhattan, KS versus $1,635 in Cincinnati, OH. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 20% higher in Cincinnati, OH, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Manhattan, KS versus $50.0 in Cincinnati, OH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $388 – making Cincinnati, OH the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Manhattan, KS vs Cincinnati, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Manhattan, KS and in Cincinnati, OH compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,259 in Manhattan, KS, $2,340 in Cincinnati, OH – roughly 4% apart. Cincinnati, OH costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Manhattan, KS compared to Cincinnati, OH?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,389 per month in Manhattan, KS and $3,509 in Cincinnati, OH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Manhattan, KS and Cincinnati, OH?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Manhattan, KS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manhattan, KS or Cincinnati, OH?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,259 in Manhattan, KS and $2,340 in Cincinnati, OH. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Manhattan, KS and in Cincinnati, OH?
Public transport costs about 74% less in Manhattan, KS. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Manhattan, KS, where all-in costs run around $2,259, than in Cincinnati, OH at $2,340. In Manhattan, KS it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cincinnati, OH it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Manhattan, KS or Cincinnati, OH?
Families tend to lean toward Manhattan, KS – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Manhattan, KS or Cincinnati, OH safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Manhattan, KS and Cincinnati, OH?
If budget matters most, go with Manhattan, KS. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cincinnati, OH makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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