Cincinnati OH vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.9 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 49.4% | 37.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 8.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 37.8% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $956,465 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 36.3% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, 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%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 62.6°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 33.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PACincinnati, OH vs San Antonio, TX