Phoenix - AZ vs Cincinnati - OH: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Phoenix - AZ is roughly 44% more expensive than Cincinnati - OH in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Phoenix - AZ (38 days vs 11), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Phoenix vs Cincinnati: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $2,443 a month in principal and interest in Phoenix and $1,695 in Cincinnati, a gap of $749 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,720 in Phoenix and $1,522 in Cincinnati, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.4 times rent in Phoenix and 1.1 times rent in Cincinnati, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 21.4 years of rent in Phoenix and 16.8 in Cincinnati; the lower ratio in Cincinnati means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -4.5% in Phoenix and +5.0% in Cincinnati; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Phoenix and +0.3% in Cincinnati.

Homes sell for 97.9% of list price in Phoenix and 99.1% in Cincinnati, after 38 and 11 days on the market, with price cuts on 32% and 33% of listings. The signs are mixed: Phoenix has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Cincinnati has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 2% on a year ago in Phoenix and up 8% on a year ago in Cincinnati.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.