Cincinnati OH vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 205,501 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 49.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 38.7% | 12.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,825 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 34.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $435,532 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.9% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 48.1 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 27.3 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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