Cincinnati OH vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 149,519 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 31.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $422,520 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 32.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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