City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,060 in Cleveland.
Safety is where Cleveland and Cincinnati split most clearly. Cincinnati scores 110 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,060 in Cleveland and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
This is a genuine split. Cleveland wins on the job market and Cincinnati wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Cincinnati has rougher pockets and Cleveland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Cleveland and Cincinnati are 221 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $59 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $11,559 (18%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 231 in Cincinnati, down 110 points (32%).
The move
Cincinnati and Cleveland are 221 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, up $59 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $64,468 in Cleveland, up $11,559 (22%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 341 in Cleveland, up 110 points (48%).
Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 6% cheaper than Cleveland
Cleveland
$1,060/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,060 in Cleveland, so Cincinnati is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $59, or $708 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
Cleveland's median income is 22% higher than Cincinnati
Cleveland
Winner$64,468
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $64,468 in Cleveland versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Cleveland (about $11,559 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, Cleveland 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
Cincinnati's crime index is 32% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 32% lower in Cincinnati. 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, Cincinnati is the easier city. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Cleveland and Cincinnati are about even on typical weather.
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Cleveland averages around 53°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Cleveland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 22% higher here ($64,468). Start with Cleveland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% 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.
Cincinnati 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 Cleveland (231 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Cincinnati leads on safety (35/100 vs 23/100 in Cleveland). Typical rent is $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,060 in Cleveland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Cleveland's $1,060, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Cincinnati is ahead on safety (35/100 vs 23/100); Cleveland is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,060/month rent plus $64,468 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Cincinnati when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cleveland and Cincinnati, plus other cities in OH.
