Cincinnati OH vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 84,389 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.8 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 49.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 38.7% | 2.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,662 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 27.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $657,911 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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