Cincinnati OH vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 49.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 38.7% | 28.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,194 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 34.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Indianapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Indianapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Indianapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA