Cincinnati OH vs Grand Island NE — 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%

Grand Island, NE

Nebraska · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$254,245
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Grand Island
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Grand Island
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Grand Island
$254,245
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Grand Island
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Grand Island
1960

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Grand Island
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Cincinnati & Grand Island