Cincinnati OH vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 49.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 38.7% | 5.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $31,152 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 30.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $324,946 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 69.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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