Cincinnati OH vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Columbus
204,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 204,383 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.3% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 39.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $32,811 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.7% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Columbus
16.1%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 64.4°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 49.6 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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