Cincinnati OH vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 209,720 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 49.4% | 41.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 37.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $46,628 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $30,451 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 26.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 37.2% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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