Cincinnati OH vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 49.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 38.7% | 23.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $52,606 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 33.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $264,957 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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