Cincinnati OH vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 127,200 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.4% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 38.7% | 12.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 4.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $37,359 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $323,876 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 18.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 56.0°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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