Cincinnati OH vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 98,677 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 49.4% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 38.7% | 29.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $34,792 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $279,668 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 56.0°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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