City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and Cincinnati is the real story here. Cincinnati comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $1,001), which over a year adds up to $4,752. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $52,909 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia and Cincinnati are 501 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $396 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $9,044 (15%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 231 in Cincinnati, down 30 points (11%).
The move
Cincinnati and Philadelphia are 501 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $396 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $61,953 in Philadelphia, up $9,044 (17%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 261 in Philadelphia, up 30 points (13%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 28% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Cincinnati is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $396/month back in your pocket ($4,752/year). Over five years that's $23,760 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 Philadelphia, 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
17% higher
Philadelphia's median income is 17% higher than Cincinnati
Philadelphia
Winner$61,953
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Philadelphia (about $9,044 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, Philadelphia 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
11% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 11% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% 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 Philadelphia. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
5% more comfortable
Philadelphia weather is 5% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Philadelphia
Winner54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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
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 17% higher ($61,953), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 54°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 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Philadelphia (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 $1,397 in Philadelphia. Median income reads $52,909 in Cincinnati and $61,953 in Philadelphia, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Philadelphia's $1,397, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 35/100 in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Philadelphia deserves a serious look only when your $61,953 income offer in Philadelphia outweighs saving $396/month in Cincinnati.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Cincinnati, plus other cities in PA and OH.
