Cincinnati OH vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 44,998 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 57.8 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 49.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 38.7% | 5.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $503,393 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 63.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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