Known as “The Queen City,” Cincinnati, Ohio, has become a destination for many people relocating to the Midwest. Cincinnati is known for many things, including its strong German heritage, and is the home of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. If you’re looking to buy a home in Cincinnati, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $260,000, and the housing market is somewhat competitive. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in Cincinnati, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,649.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up a list of the nine best affordable Cincinnati suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 45-minute drive from the city. That way, you can live nearby without paying the price of city living.
#1: Silver Grove, KY
Median home price: $70,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 20 minutes
Silver Grove, KY homes for sale
Silver Grove, KY apartments for rent
With a median home sale price nearly $200K less than Cincinnati, Silver Grove lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Cincinnati suburb. About a 20-minute drive away from downtown Cincinnati, Silver Grove is home to roughly 1,500 residents. Silver Grove is known for its parks and recreation areas, as well as many historical sites.
#2: St Bernard, OH
Median home price: $135,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 15 minutes
St Bernard, OH homes for sale
St Bernard, OH apartments for rent
St Bernard is Cincinnati’s second most affordable suburb. About a 15-minute drive away from downtown Cincinnati, you can visit the Cincinnati Zoo in no time. When living in this suburb of 4,500 people, you can also explore the charming downtown.
#3: Cheviot, OH
Median home price: $184,900
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 20 minutes
Cheviot, OH homes for sale
Cheviot, OH apartments for rent
20 minutes outside of the city, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Cheviot. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, there are lots of things that make Cheviot a great place to live. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to check out one of the many local shops and attractions.
#4: Greendale, IN
Median home price: $192,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 35 minutes
Greendale, IN homes for sale
Greendale, IN apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Cheviot is none other than Greendale, Indiana. With roughly 4,000 residents in this Cincinnati suburb, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do. From hiking, fishing, and camping to even skiing in the winter, you won’t tire of Greendale’s great outdoors.
#5: Trenton, OH
Median home price: $216,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 45 minutes
Trenton, OH homes for sale
Trenton, OH apartments for rent
45 minutes away from downtown Cincinnati is Trenton, another great suburb to consider moving to. With 13,000 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Cincinnati without paying the premium for a home there. Living in Trenton, you’ll find there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you busy, and the city is home to several museums and historical sites. If you’re looking for something to do outdoors, you can explore one of the many parks or go hiking or biking on one of the many trails.
#6: Florence, KY
Median home price: $217,500
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 27 minutes
Florence, KY homes for sale
Florence, KY apartments for rent
Another well-known Cincinnati suburb is Florence, where the home prices are about $40K less than in Cincinnati. With roughly 33,000 people calling Florence home, it’s a great area to consider living in. For the outdoor enthusiasts, you can enjoy hiking and biking trails at Devou Park, horseback riding at Turfway Park, or golfing at World of Sports. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, you can check out the Florence Freedom minor league baseball team, catch a movie at Florence Cinema, or explore the local shops and restaurants.
#7: Reading, OH
Median home price: $220,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 20 minutes
Reading, OH homes for sale
Reading, OH apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Cincinnati suburbs is Reading, which is about a 20-minute drive into the city center. With a population of nearly 10,000, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to experience in Reading. If you’re going to call this area home, plan time to explore many different parks and recreation areas as well as a variety of shops and restaurants.
#8: Newport, KY
Median home price: $249,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 10 minutes
Newport, KY homes for sale
Newport, KY apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Cincinnati for a while, chances are you know of Newport, Kentucky. This affordable city is home to approximately 15,000 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Cincinnati’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Some of the most popular attractions include the Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee entertainment complex, and the Great American Ball Park. There are also many museums, art galleries, and historical sites to visit.
#9: Fairfield, OH
Median home price: $260,000
Driving distance from Cincinnati: 35 minutes
Fairfield, OH homes for sale
Fairfield, OH apartments for rent
Finishing off our list of affordable Cincinnati suburbs is none other than Fairfield. Just about 35 minutes away from the city center, you may just want to consider moving to Fairfield. Roughly 43,000 people live in this suburb, but there’s always something new to explore. You can visit the Fairfield Heritage Center, take a stroll through the Fairfield Community Park, explore the Fairfield Museum, and or catch a show at the Fairfield Lyric Theatre. There is also a variety of shopping and dining options in the area.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Cincinnati and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during July 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during July 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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