Cincinnati OH vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.9% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 11.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $39,575 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $24,029 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 14.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 31.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 17.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 45.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 22.6% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.8% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cincinnati + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 27.3 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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