Cincinnati OH vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Flint
2.9%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 80,835 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 2.9% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 34.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 0.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 4.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $36,194 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $20,799 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 17.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 34.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 13.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 50.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 23.5% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 25.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.0 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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