Cincinnati OH vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 154,751 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 49.4% | 40.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 20.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $51,339 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $27,054 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 25.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 19.7% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $298,985 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 21.1% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.5% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, 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 326 in Springfield. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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