Cincinnati OH vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Columbus
33.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 49.4% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 38.7% | 29.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Columbus
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $37,189 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 38.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 44.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Columbus
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Columbus
1866
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, 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%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Columbus
19.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 18.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA