Cincinnati OH vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 49.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.7% | 5.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $538,687 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 78.3 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 26.5 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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