Cincinnati OH vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 49.4% | 38.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 6.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $31,012 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 20.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 24.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $391,442 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 64.2°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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