Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 7.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 49.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 2.2% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 2.8% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
$51,707
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
$38,878
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
41.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $51,707 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $38,878 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,300 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.8% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 24.5% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 41.3% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 38.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1866 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 38.3% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.8% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 16.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Cincinnati
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while 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 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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