City comparison
No. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Safety is where Cincinnati and Pittsburgh split most clearly. Pittsburgh scores 73 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 $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh are 256 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, up $260 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, up $12,833 (24%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 73 points (32%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are 256 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $260 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $12,833 (20%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 231 in Cincinnati, up 73 points (46%).
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Pittsburgh, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cincinnati and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 21% cheaper than Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Pittsburgh
$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh, so Cincinnati is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $260/month back in your pocket ($3,120/year). Over five years that's $15,600 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 Pittsburgh, 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
24% higher
Pittsburgh's median income is 24% higher than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$52,909
Pittsburgh
Winner$65,742
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Pittsburgh (about $12,833 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, Pittsburgh 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
32% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 32% lower than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 32% lower in Pittsburgh. 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, Pittsburgh 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
8% more comfortable
Cincinnati weather is 8% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Winner53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cincinnati scores 8% 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 Pittsburgh 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 21% 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 Pittsburgh on this page's weather index by 8%. Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 24% higher here ($65,742). Start with Pittsburgh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Pittsburgh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 32% lower than Cincinnati (158 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: Pittsburgh scores 46/100 versus 35/100 in Cincinnati. Rent is $1,261/month in Pittsburgh and $1,001/month in Cincinnati, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Pittsburgh still pays more locally ($65,742 median income vs $52,909), which can offset the lease if your field pays Pittsburgh rates.
Median income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $52,909 in Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh is ahead on safety (46/100 vs 35/100); Cincinnati is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,001/month rent plus $52,909 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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