Cincinnati OH vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 154,776 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 49.4% | 44.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 20.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $28,059 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 20.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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