City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 266 in Milwaukee, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 375, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,059 in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee and Cincinnati are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,001 in Cincinnati, and median household income lands at $54,234 versus $52,909. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Milwaukee 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Milwaukee and Cincinnati are 323 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $58 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $1,325 (2%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 231 in Cincinnati, down 35 points (13%).
The move
Cincinnati and Milwaukee are 323 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, up $58 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $54,234 in Milwaukee, up $1,325 (3%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 266 in Milwaukee, up 35 points (15%).
Milwaukee, WI
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 Milwaukee and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 5% cheaper than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$1,059/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,059 in Milwaukee, so Cincinnati is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $58, or $696 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
3% higher
Milwaukee's median income is 3% higher than Cincinnati
Milwaukee
Winner$54,234
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $54,234 in Milwaukee versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Milwaukee (about $1,325 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 13% lower than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
266 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 266 in Milwaukee (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% 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 Milwaukee. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Milwaukee weather is 9% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Milwaukee
Winner55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Milwaukee averages around 55°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. Milwaukee scores 9% 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 3% higher ($54,234), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°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 5% 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 13% lower than Milwaukee (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Cincinnati: Cincinnati scores 35/100 versus 30/100 in Milwaukee, with typical rent at $1,001 versus $1,059. I would vet the exact ZIP in Milwaukee before trading 5 safety points for housing savings.
With only $58 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,001 in Cincinnati and $1,059 in Milwaukee.
Pick Cincinnati when you want the stronger safety signal (35/100). Otherwise, Milwaukee's case rests on a Milwaukee ZIP you trust at $1,059 rent.
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 Milwaukee and Cincinnati, plus other cities in WI and OH.
