City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Cincinnati, OH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cincinnati - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

309,595
Residents
$51,707
Median income
$215,300
Median home
$1,353
Median rent (state)

Cincinnati - the verdict

Nationally, Cincinnati sits in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
47th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cincinnati, OH

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 309,595 residents in Cincinnati, a mid-sized U.S. city within Ohio. Cincinnati households earn a median of $51,707 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.4%. Home values in Cincinnati run a median of $215,300, and the median resident age is 33.0 years. About 41.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 224 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 80% from five years earlier. Cincinnati's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4674.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.6°F with 42.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: the state registers 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,353 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $228 across Ohio, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 20.0 minutes, with 66.2% driving alone and 13.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

309,595 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$51,707 /yr

Poverty 18.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Cincinnati compare to other US cities?

Where Cincinnati sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 47% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Ohio, Cincinnati ranks #271 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Cincinnati's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Ohio, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cincinnati's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cincinnati's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 26 Avg. percentile National median
Cincinnati's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cincinnati's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$215,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 53% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cincinnati $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cincinnati, OH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cincinnati, OH median $51,707/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cincinnati, OH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cincinnati, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 41.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
309,595
Median Income
$51,707
Median Home Value
$215,300
Median Age
33.0
Poverty Rate
18.4%
Labor force participation
61.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
41.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4674.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
845.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3829.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
42.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
175
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
306,000 residents308,000 residents310,000 residents312,000 residents314,000 residents316,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 309,670 residents 314,367 residents ▲ +1.5%
Cincinnati's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
224
housing units authorized
Single-Family
110
detached homes
Multifamily
114
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,127
2020 906
2021 1,138
2022 793
2023 631
2024 224

Permit volume decreased 80% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.0 minutes
Drive Alone
66.2%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
5.7%
Walk
5.3%
Work from Home
13.2%
Other
2.1%

Based on 152,477 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Ohio - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$78
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$228
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Ohio state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Ohio state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cincinnati sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,353/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Toledo
268,461 people
Cleveland
367,523 people
Akron
189,526 people
Dayton
136,741 people
Parma
80,131 people
Canton
70,105 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cincinnati's 309,595 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Irvine, CA
308,160 people
St. Paul, MN
307,762 people
Santa Ana, CA
311,639 people
Orlando, FL
311,732 people
Newark, NJ
307,188 people
Pittsburgh, PA
303,620 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cincinnati's $51,707 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Montgomery City, MO
$51,707 median income
Hallstead, PA
$51,705 median income
Sidney, NE
$51,704 median income
Oswego, KS
$51,701 median income
Norwich, NY
$51,713 median income
Battle Creek, MI
$51,699 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cincinnati, OH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cincinnati, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 49.4% 38.7% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 49.4% Black or African American 38.7% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 7.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cincinnati compares to nearby Ohio cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cincinnati (this city) 309,595 $51,707
Toledo 268,461 $47,532
Cleveland 367,523 $39,187
Akron 189,526 $48,544
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cincinnati, OH?

What is the population of Cincinnati, OH? +

The population of Cincinnati, OH stands at 309,595 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cincinnati, OH? +

Median annual household income in Cincinnati runs $51,707, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cincinnati? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cincinnati; the closest available measure is the Ohio state average, a cost of living index of 92.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Ohio vary by metro area.

Is Cincinnati, OH safe? +

Cincinnati has a total crime rate of 4674.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cincinnati, OH? +

A typical home in Cincinnati is worth $215,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Cincinnati? +

Cincinnati has an average annual temperature of 52.6°F, 42.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.