Cincinnati OH vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 138,019 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.1% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 38.7% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $38,087 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $54,550 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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