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Cleveland vs Cincinnati: 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). Cleveland population: 363,608. Cincinnati population: 314,367.

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: Cleveland vs Cincinnati

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.

CategoryClevelandCincinnati
Overall Index9092
Housing$1,602/moIndex: 90$1,691/moIndex: 95
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$402/moIndex: 98
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$350/moIndex: 100
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$202/moIndex: 92

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

Safety: Cleveland vs Cincinnati

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+

Cleveland

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate24/1K
TrendImproving
C+

Cincinnati

Ohio

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.4/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricClevelandCincinnati
Overall Crime Rate24/1K26.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate403.5485.4
Property Crime Rate1998.82151.8
Murder Rate7.67.6
Assault Rate255.1310.9
Robbery Rate70.4106.7
Burglary Rate261.0404.4
Theft Rate1235.31643.7
Vehicle Theft Rate442.8542.0

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

Victim Odds

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

Climate: Cleveland vs Cincinnati

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

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ClevelandCincinnatiHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricClevelandCincinnati
Avg Annual High59.3°F64.2°F
Avg Annual Low43.8°F46.2°F
Annual Rain36.8"40.5"
Annual Snow41.5"18.0"
Comfortable Months57
Freezing Months43

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

Learn More About Each City

C+
Cleveland Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Cincinnati 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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