City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 252 in Seattle, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle.
The income gap between Seattle and Cincinnati is significant: $123,860 median household versus $52,909. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,030 in Seattle and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Seattle 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
Seattle and Cincinnati are 1,966 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $1,029 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $70,951 (57%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 231 in Cincinnati, down 21 points (8%).
The move
Cincinnati and Seattle are 1,966 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $1,029 a month (103%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $123,860 in Seattle, up $70,951 (134%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 252 in Seattle, up 21 points (9%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
51% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 51% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Cincinnati is 51% cheaper. That's roughly $1,029/month back in your pocket ($12,348/year). Over five years that's $61,740 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 Seattle, 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
134% higher
Seattle's median income is 134% higher than Cincinnati
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 134% higher in Seattle (about $70,951 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, Seattle 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
8% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 8% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% 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 Seattle. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Seattle weather is 9% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Seattle
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Seattle averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Seattle 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. Seattle 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 134% higher ($123,860), 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 51% 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 8% lower than Seattle (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 $2,030 in Seattle. Median income reads $52,909 in Cincinnati and $123,860 in Seattle, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 32/100 in Seattle and 35/100 in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Seattle deserves a serious look only when your $123,860 income offer in Seattle outweighs saving $1,029/month in Cincinnati.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Seattle and Cincinnati, plus other cities in WA and OH.
