Cincinnati OH vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 161,993 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 49.4% | 21.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 1.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $28,813 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 15.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $751,711 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 57.3°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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