Cincinnati OH vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 227,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 49.4% | 43.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $374,265 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 58.9°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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