City comparison
Yes. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,392 in Newark.
Safety is where Newark and Cincinnati split most clearly. Newark scores 95 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,392 in Newark and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati is the easier city on typical rent, but Newark can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. 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
Newark and Cincinnati are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $391 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $52,909 in Cincinnati, up $849 (2%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 231 in Cincinnati, up 95 points (70%).
The move
Cincinnati and Newark are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,392 a month in Newark, up $391 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $52,060 in Newark, down $849 (2%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 136 in Newark, down 95 points (41%).
Newark, NJ
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 Newark and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 28% cheaper than Newark
Newark
$1,392/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,392 in Newark, so Cincinnati is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $391/month back in your pocket ($4,692/year). Over five years that's $23,460 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 Newark, 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
2% higher
Cincinnati's median income is 2% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Cincinnati
Winner$52,909
Median household income is $52,909 in Cincinnati versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Cincinnati (about $849 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
41% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 41% lower than Cincinnati
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% lower in Newark. 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, Newark 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
5% more comfortable
Newark weather is 5% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Newark
Winner54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Newark averages around 54°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. Newark scores 5% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Newark if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (54°F) beat Cincinnati on this page's weather index by 5%. Cincinnati may pay more or cost less, but Newark is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 41% lower than Cincinnati (136 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($52,909). Start with Cincinnati if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Newark: Newark scores 51/100 versus 35/100 in Cincinnati, with typical rent at $1,392 versus $1,001. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cincinnati before trading 16 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (51/100 in Newark vs 35/100 in Cincinnati), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Newark and 53°F in Cincinnati.
Newark clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Cincinnati deserves a serious look only when you already know the Cincinnati block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Cincinnati, plus other cities in NJ and OH.
