Cincinnati OH vs Cleveland OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.1% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 36.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cleveland
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $39,187 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $27,078 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 11.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 30.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 21.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 41.2% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cleveland
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cleveland
1866
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 42.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.5% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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