Cincinnati OH vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 49.4% | 35.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 22.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 36.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $265,062 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 24.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 48.7 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 29.6 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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