City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Cincinnati and Plano is significant: $52,909 median household versus $112,253. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cincinnati makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Plano is the stronger move.
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 Plano are 800 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $840 a month (84%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $112,253 in Plano, up $59,344 (112%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 62 in Plano, down 169 points (73%).
The move
Plano and Cincinnati are 800 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $840 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $59,344 (53%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 231 in Cincinnati, up 169 points (273%).
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cincinnati and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 46% cheaper than Plano
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,841 in Plano, so Cincinnati is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $840/month back in your pocket ($10,080/year). Over five years that's $50,400 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
112% higher
Plano's median income is 112% higher than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$52,909
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 112% higher in Plano (about $59,344 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, Plano 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
73% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 73% lower than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 73% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
52% more comfortable
Plano weather is 52% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano scores 52% 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 Cincinnati if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cincinnati
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 112% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 73% lower than Cincinnati (62 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Plano: Plano scores 75/100 versus 35/100 in Cincinnati, with typical rent at $1,841 versus $1,001. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cincinnati before trading 40 safety points for housing savings.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $52,909), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Median income is $112,253 in Plano versus $52,909 in Cincinnati.
If safety drives your move, Plano is the stronger match (75/100 safety versus 35/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Cincinnati, treat $1,001/month rent and $52,909 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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Nearby research
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