Cincinnati OH vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 138,723 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.9 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 49.4% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 38.7% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $671,948 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 65.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.2 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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