Cincinnati OH vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 71,124 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 49.4% | 32.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $38,786 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 33.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $327,117 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1991 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.4°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 49.3 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.0 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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