Cincinnati OH vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 49.4% | 40.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 5.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $1,369,171 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 38.5% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 55.3°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 33.9 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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