Ann Arbor MI vs Cincinnati OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
309,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
33.0
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
49.4%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
38.7%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 309,595 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
$51,707
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
$38,878
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
41.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,707 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,878 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,300 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 41.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 38.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1866 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 38.3% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.8% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.1% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 54.2°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Cincinnati + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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