Cincinnati OH vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 49.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 38.7% | 6.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $871,599 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA