Cincinnati OH vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 197,768 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 49.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 38.7% | 17.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,953 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $309,801 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Cincinnati +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Cincinnati has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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