Cincinnati OH vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 307,188 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.8 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 49.4% | 16.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $48,416 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $25,509 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 10.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 24.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 17.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $482,675 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 24.1% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.0% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 23.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.9°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 35.9 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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