Moving to Cincinnati
Moving to Cincinnati: where to start
Start with where you will work and what you need nearby, then narrow it to a few areas. I can show you the commute and the streets on video before you ever fly in.
By Rhonda Everitt, REALTOR® with Comey & Shepherd Realtors.
Updated .
Where should I start looking?
Start from your commute. Cincinnati traffic is easy by big-city standards, but a 20-minute drive and a 50-minute drive feel very different every day. Tell me where you will work and how often you go in, and I will map the areas that fit. Then we narrow it by the kind of home you want and what you want nearby.
My neighborhood guides give the same facts for every area I cover: price, time on the market, the drive downtown, the school district and local taxes.
What do homes cost around Cincinnati?
Less than most large metros. Prices vary a lot by area. Over the summer of 2026, median sales ran from about $334,000 in Lebanon and $353,000 in Centerville to about $445,000 in Mason, $556,000 in Blue Ash and Hyde Park, and $799,000 in Montgomery. My post on 7 suburbs where your money goes further covers more options.
How do taxes work here?
Ohio has a state income tax, and most cities and villages add a local one too: from 1% to 2.25% in the areas I cover. Townships do not. That is why I list the local income tax on every neighborhood guide. Property taxes depend on the county, school district and levies at each address; I will show you the actual tax bill on any house you like.
Which school district is a house in?
Check by address, never by city name or ZIP code. District lines do not follow city lines here; a Cincinnati mailing address can be in any of several districts. I look it up on every house we consider, and you can compare districts yourself on the Ohio School Report Card.
Can I buy before I move?
Yes. Many of my relocation clients choose a short list on video and fly in for one weekend of showings. I tour homes live on a video call, film the street and the drive, and point out what photos do not show. Much of the paperwork can be signed electronically. My YouTube channel, Living in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a good place to get a feel for the area first.
Should I rent first?
If you do not know the area or your job location may change, renting for six months to a year is reasonable. If your work is settled and you know what you want, buying first saves a second move. We can talk through which fits you.