Cincinnati OH vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 293,109 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.6% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 45.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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