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Cincinnati vs Cleveland: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Cincinnati is 2% more expensive than Cleveland. Cleveland is 9% safer. Cincinnati has more comfortable months (7 vs 5). Cincinnati population: 314,367. Cleveland population: 363,608.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingCleveland
SafetyCleveland
WeatherCincinnati
HousingCleveland

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Cincinnati vs Cleveland

Cleveland is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 90 vs 92 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 2 index points.

CategoryCincinnatiCleveland
Overall Index9290
Housing$1,691/moIndex: 95$1,602/moIndex: 90
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$402/moIndex: 98
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$350/moIndex: 100
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Cincinnati vs Cleveland

Cleveland is 9% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents vs Cincinnati's 26.4. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade compared to Cincinnati's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Cincinnati

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.4/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Cleveland

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate24/1K
TrendImproving
MetricCincinnatiCleveland
Overall Crime Rate26.4/1K24/1K
Violent Crime Rate485.4403.5
Property Crime Rate2151.81998.8
Murder Rate7.67.6
Assault Rate310.9255.1
Robbery Rate106.770.4
Burglary Rate404.4261.0
Theft Rate1643.71235.3
Vehicle Theft Rate542.0442.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Cincinnati, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Cleveland.

Climate: Cincinnati vs Cleveland

Cincinnati Climate Overview

Annual High64.2°F
Annual Low46.2°F
Annual Rain40.5"
Annual Snow18.0"
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Cleveland Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low43.8°F
Annual Rain36.8"
Annual Snow41.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

CincinnatiClevelandHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricCincinnatiCleveland
Avg Annual High64.2°F59.3°F
Avg Annual Low46.2°F43.8°F
Annual Rain40.5"36.8"
Annual Snow18.0"41.5"
Comfortable Months75
Freezing Months34

Cincinnati is 4°F warmer in summer than Cleveland, but winter temperatures are comparable. Cleveland gets significantly more snow (42" vs 18"). Cincinnati has more comfortable weather months (7 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cincinnati cheaper than Cleveland?
Cincinnati and Cleveland have very similar costs of living (index 92 vs 90, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is Cincinnati safer than Cleveland?
Cleveland is 9% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents vs Cincinnati's 26.4. Cleveland earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Which city has better weather, Cincinnati or Cleveland?
Cincinnati is 4.900000000000006°F warmer on average as Cleveland. Cincinnati has more comfortable months (7 vs 5). Annual snow: Cincinnati gets 18", Cleveland gets 42".
Should I move to Cincinnati or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland is safer (C+ grade). Cleveland is more affordable (index 90 vs 92). Cincinnati has better year-round weather. Cincinnati has a population of 314,367 and Cleveland has 363,608. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Cincinnati compared to Cleveland?
Cincinnati has a population of 314,367 and Cleveland has 363,608. Cleveland is 16% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Cincinnati or Cleveland?
Housing is cheaper in Cleveland. Estimated monthly housing costs: Cincinnati $1,691/mo vs Cleveland $1,602/mo. That's based on a housing index of 95 vs 90 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Cincinnati Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Cleveland Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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