Cincinnati OH vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
New York
35.9%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 49.4% | 35.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 22.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 41.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $816,078 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 32.8% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 55.4°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 44.2 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PACincinnati, OH vs San Antonio, TX