Cincinnati
Ohio
Pop. 308,870
VS
Cleveland
Ohio
Pop. 370,365

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

72
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
72
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Cincinnati wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Neither wins 2–1 overall (72/100)
💰 Cleveland is more affordable
💼 Cleveland has lower unemployment
🛡️ Cleveland has fewer disasters

📋 Cincinnati vs Cleveland — The Verdict

Cincinnati scores 72/100 compared to Cleveland's 72/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Cleveland has a clear edge with home prices 54% lower. Cleveland may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Cleveland are 54% lower — a difference of $104,600 in median home value.
💵
Households in Cincinnati earn $11,920 more per year (32% higher median income).
💰 Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Cost of Living Comparison
90
vs
100
Median Home Value
$192,000
$87,400
Median Rent /mo
$893
$851
Median Income
$49,191
$37,271
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Cleveland offers home prices 54% lower than Cincinnati, translating to $104,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Job Market & Salaries
45
vs
45
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
4.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
10 Good
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
6
5
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Cincinnati to Cleveland: Common Questions

Is Cincinnati or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Cleveland is more affordable overall. Home prices are $104,600 lower in Cleveland. Monthly rent is $851 in Cleveland vs $893 in Cincinnati.
Does Cincinnati or Cleveland have better weather?
Cleveland scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Cincinnati or Cleveland better for finding a job?
Cleveland currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.5% in Cincinnati vs 4.5% in Cleveland. Median household income is $49,191 in Cincinnati and $37,271 in Cleveland.
Which city is safer — Cincinnati or Cleveland?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Cleveland is safer. Cincinnati has had 6 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 5 in Cleveland. Cincinnati scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Cleveland.
Should I move from Cincinnati to Cleveland?
Based on our data, Cleveland scores 72.0/100 vs Cincinnati's 72.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Cleveland is more affordable, while Cleveland has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.