Cincinnati OH vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 49.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 31.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $435,670 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 71.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 26.7 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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