Cincinnati OH vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Minneapolis
33.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 49.4% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 38.7% | 18.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $334,719 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1992 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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