Cincinnati OH vs Dallas TX — 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%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Dallas
33.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Dallas
23.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 49.4% | 41.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 23.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Dallas
37.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 37.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Dallas
$311,957
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $311,957 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 42.4% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Dallas
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Dallas
2339
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.8% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 65.9°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 40.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Dallas
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.3 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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