Cincinnati OH vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 49.4% | 29.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 2.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $1,452,609 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 61.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 30.4 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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