City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Boston and Cincinnati is significant: $97,344 median household versus $52,909. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cincinnati at $1,001 average has pockets that run $801 and others at $1,401: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Boston and Cincinnati are 738 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $1,146 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $44,435 (46%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 231 in Cincinnati, up 84 points (57%).
The move
Cincinnati and Boston are 738 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $1,146 a month (114%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $97,344 in Boston, up $44,435 (84%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 147 in Boston, down 84 points (36%).
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Boston and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
53% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 53% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $2,147 in Boston, so Cincinnati is 53% cheaper. That's roughly $1,146/month back in your pocket ($13,752/year). Over five years that's $68,760 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cincinnati is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
84% higher
Boston's median income is 84% higher than Cincinnati
Boston
Winner$97,344
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 84% higher in Boston (about $44,435 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Boston is the stronger labor market on paper. Cincinnati can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
36% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 36% lower than Cincinnati
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Boston. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boston is the easier city. Cincinnati can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Cincinnati weather is 14% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Cincinnati
Winner53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cincinnati scores 14% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 84% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Cincinnati (147 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 53% cheaper here at about $1,001 a month. Choose Cincinnati if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Cincinnati if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (53°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 14%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Cincinnati is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Boston runs $2,147/month while Cincinnati sits at $1,001 — roughly 53% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Boston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 35/100 in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati is the default on housing cost at $1,001/month versus $2,147 in Boston; Boston stays in play when $97,344 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,146 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Cincinnati, plus other cities in MA and OH.
