Cincinnati OH vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.9 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 49.4% | 39.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $580,173 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 24.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 32.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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