Cincinnati OH vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 307,762 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 49.4% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 38.7% | 16.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $297,021 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1992 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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