Cincinnati OH vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 156,309 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 49.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 38.7% | 1.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $575,076 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.6 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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