City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The income gap between Denver and Cincinnati is significant: $94,718 median household versus $52,909. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,831 in Denver and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Cincinnati are 1,091 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $830 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $41,809 (44%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 231 in Cincinnati, down 40 points (15%).
The move
Cincinnati and Denver are 1,091 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $830 a month (83%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $94,718 in Denver, up $41,809 (79%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 271 in Denver, up 40 points (17%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 45% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,831 in Denver, so Cincinnati is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $830/month back in your pocket ($9,960/year). Over five years that's $49,800 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 Denver, 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
79% higher
Denver's median income is 79% higher than Cincinnati
Denver
Winner$94,718
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 79% higher in Denver (about $41,809 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, Denver 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
15% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 15% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Cincinnati. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Cincinnati, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Denver weather is 39% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Denver scores 39% 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
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 79% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 45% 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 15% lower than Denver (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,001/month in Cincinnati versus $1,831 in Denver. Median income reads $52,909 in Cincinnati and $94,718 in Denver, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 62°F in Denver and 53°F in Cincinnati.
If housing cost drives your move, Cincinnati is the stronger match ($1,001/month rent against $1,831). If an employer or family tie already points to Denver, treat $1,831/month rent and $94,718 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Cincinnati, plus other cities in CO and OH.
