Cincinnati OH vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 49.4% | 36.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $37,669 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 34.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 57.1°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 48.5 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 34.5 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs San Antonio, TX