Cincinnati OH vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 169,432 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 3.8% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $45,984 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $30,864 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 30.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.0% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 56.3°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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