Cincinnati OH vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 176,666 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 49.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 38.7% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,477 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 31.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $438,754 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, 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%
Cincinnati +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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