Cincinnati OH vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 220,482 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 49.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 38.7% | 10.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 33.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $496,966 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 31.1 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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