Cincinnati OH vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 303,620 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 49.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 38.7% | 22.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 4.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.0 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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