Cincinnati OH vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 308,160 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.9 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 49.4% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 2.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $1,566,872 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 65.3°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 26.0 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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