City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Cincinnati and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 140 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Madison 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
Cincinnati and Madison are 373 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $412 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $78,050 in Madison, up $25,141 (48%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 91 in Madison, down 140 points (61%).
The move
Madison and Cincinnati are 373 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $412 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $25,141 (32%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 231 in Cincinnati, up 140 points (154%).
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cincinnati and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 29% cheaper than Madison
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,413 in Madison, so Cincinnati is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $412/month back in your pocket ($4,944/year). Over five years that's $24,720 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 Madison, 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
48% higher
Madison's median income is 48% higher than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$52,909
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 48% higher in Madison (about $25,141 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, Madison 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
61% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 61% lower than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 61% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
27% more comfortable
Cincinnati weather is 27% more comfortable than Madison
Cincinnati
Winner53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cincinnati scores 27% 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 Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 29% 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 Madison on this page's weather index by 27%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Cincinnati is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 48% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 61% lower than Cincinnati (91 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.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Madison scores 63/100 versus 35/100 in Cincinnati. Rent is $1,413/month in Madison and $1,001/month in Cincinnati, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Madison's $1,413, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,413 in Madison.
Between Cincinnati and Madison, Madison is ahead on safety — 63/100 safety versus 35/100. Lean Cincinnati instead when you already know the Cincinnati block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cincinnati and Madison, plus other cities in OH and WI.
