Cleveland Vs. Cincinnati (Differences, Pros, Cons)

 

Cleveland and Cincinnati are both major cities in the state of Ohio.

Despite both being major cities in Ohio, the two cities actually have quite a few differences between them.

Here are some major differences between Cleveland and Cincinnati and the positives and negatives of both cities.

 

Cleveland Vs. Cincinnati (Differences, Pros, Cons)

 

1. Team Sports

 

If you’re a major fan of sports, then you may wonder what the differences are between the two cities regarding their local sports.

Cleveland has a pretty popular basketball team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers hail from the city.

One of the reasons the team has gotten a lot of attention is that LeBron James played with them.

They also have quite a number of wins under their belt.

As of 2022, they have won seven division titles, five conference titles, and one league title which they won in 2016 with James.

Although the team has won only a single NBA championship ring, they’ve made the playoffs several times.

They’re an exciting group to watch and cheer for each season.

Cincinnati used to have an NBA team called the Cincinnati Royals.

However, the franchise became disbanded in 1972 following poor performances and little interest from fans.

One of the major differences between Cleveland and Cincinnati is that Cleveland has an NBA team while Cincinnati does not.

When it comes to the NFL, both Cleveland and Cincinnati have teams that have struggled to win a Super Bowl.

The Cleveland Browns have never made an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Although they’ve made the playoffs a few times, as of 2022, they haven’t managed to make an actual appearance in the Super Bowl yet.

The Cincinnati Bengals have played in the Super Bowl.

Although they haven’t won a Super Bowl championship yet either, they can at least say that they’ve made it to a Super Bowl game.

As such, there’s a bit of a difference in sports when it comes to Cleveland and Cincinnati.

In Cleveland, they have a strong NBA team but a weak NFL team.

In Cincinnati, they don’t have an NBA team, but they do have a relatively strong NFL team.

 

2. Cost Of Living

 

Knowing the general cost of living in a place can help you determine if it’s an ideal location for you to live.

If the cost of living is too high, for example, then you may struggle to make ends meet there with the type of job that you have.

If the cost of living is low, then you have more freedom to move your money around.

You can start focusing on your future and planning for retirement.

You may even be able to start putting money aside to help put your children through college.

As such, it’s worth comparing the costs of living between Cleveland and Cincinnati.

According to Best Places, Cleveland has a cost of living rating of 72.6.

This is in comparison to the average cost of living in the United States which they rate at 100.

Since 71.6 is below 100, it indicates that Cleveland has a lower cost of living than the average in the United States.

Cincinnati has a cost of living rating of 84.6.

This is still below 100, which means Cincinnati also has a lower average cost of living than the United States.

However, it’s higher than Cleveland’s.

This means that it costs more to live in Cincinnati than it does in Cleveland, on average.

While there may be a few exceptions, you should expect that, in general, Cincinnati is going to be more expensive than Cleveland.

Cleveland and Cincinnati are different because Cincinnati is a bit more expensive to live in than Cleveland.

 

3. Average Home Price

 

Another important feature and difference to know between Cleveland and Cincinnati is the average price of a home.

If you want to own a home someday or plan on moving from one to another, then it’s worth knowing the average price of a home.

This can help you determine whether the city is worth the investment or not.

As anyone who dabbles in real estate knows, location matters.

If a city has very cheap housing, then it might indicate that there’s some problem with the city.

It might mean that there’s a lot of supply but little demand.

That might make you wonder why there isn’t that much demand.

For example, people may be moving out of the city because of a lack of available jobs.

While getting a cheap house may seem like a steal, you’ll feel the pinch later when you try to sell the home and find that no one wants to buy a home in or near that particular city.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, extremely high housing prices can impact your quality of life.

If you end up buying an expensive home, then you may start to feel the financial crunch of keeping it up and paying the monthly mortgage.

As mortgage rates increases, insurance prices increase, and property taxes increase, an expensive home might eventually become too expensive for you to afford.

The average price of a home in Cleveland, as of 2022, is $110,398, according to Zillow.

Zillow also states that home values have increased by 18.9% since 2021.

The average price of a home in Cincinnati, as of 2022, is $234,289, according to Zillow.

Zillow states that home values have increased by 13.1% since 2021.

Clearly, homes in Cleveland tend to be cheaper than homes in Cincinnati.

However, Cleveland is also showing a stronger price increase percentage.

This means that homes in the city are increasing in value at a faster rate than they are in Cincinnati.

It might also mean that you might be able to sell your home at a higher value in Cleveland than in Cincinnati if the trend continues over the next few decades.

Cleveland and Cincinnati are different because home prices are a bit cheaper in Cleveland than they are in Cincinnati.

 

4. Average Price Of Rent

 

If you’re not quite ready to buy a home yet or don’t have an interest in home ownership, then you might be curious about the differences in rent between Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Not unlike buying a home, choosing where to rent is also important.

Since rent will likely take up a good portion of your income, it’s worth knowing which city has cheaper rent on average.

Cities with high rents indicate that there might be more demand than there is a supply of rental units.

This might also mean that you might struggle to find an apartment or condo that matches your needs perfectly.

That said, high rent can also indicate a place that’s in demand.

It might mean that the city has a bustling economy, and a lot of people are interested in taking advantage of job opportunities.

It might indicate that there’s a college or university nearby, and a lot of students need housing.

That can also give you an idea as to the kind of flavor that the city has.

A college town tends to be more educated, for example.

On the other hand, low rent can be helpful for those who have to keep to a specific budget.

With low rent, you’re able to move your money around more and afford more things.

However, it might also indicate that there isn’t as much demand for rental housing units in that area.

That might mean that there’s plenty of supply for rental units or something more problematic like a dying economy.

Cleveland’s average rent, according to RentCafe, is $1,277.

That rent covers an 807-square-foot apartment.

The average rent in Cincinnati is $1,200, according to RentCafe.

That rent covers an 870-square-foot apartment.

Clearly, the rent in Cincinnati is a bit cheaper, especially since you get more space for it.

That said, the price of rent tends to increase the closer to the center of the city that you go to.

If you want more space for less money, then Cincinnati has a slight edge over Cleveland.

 

5. Average Household Income

 

The average household incomes between Cincinnati and Cleveland are also different.

Knowing the average household income of a city is important because it gives you an idea of what your neighbors might be making.

Cities with high average household incomes indicate that a lot of white-collar employees likely live or work there.

Cities with low average household incomes might indicate more of a blue-collar worker base in the city.

While household incomes will fluctuate based on the neighborhood you’re in while traveling through the city, knowing the average household income gives you an idea of which way the spectrum leans.

This is helpful to know because it also indicates the types of jobs available.

A city with low household incomes might indicate that there are more service-based jobs available than executive jobs.

A city with high household incomes might indicate that there are more managerial or executive positions available.

Finally, a household income average can give you an idea as to whether the city is affordable or not.

Comparing household incomes to the cost of living in the city can help you determine whether the city is liveable or too expensive to live in.

According to the 2020 Census, the average household income in Cleveland is $31,838.

The same source indicates that the average household income in Cincinnati is $42,663.

Cincinnati has a slightly higher average household income than Cleveland.

This might indicate that Cincinnati has more jobs with higher wages available than Cleveland.

It might mean that the city puts pressure on its employers to pay higher wages to their employees.

Whatever the reason, Cleveland and Cincinnati are different because Cincinnati has a higher average household income than Cleveland.

 

6. Safety

 

A final difference to examine between Cleveland and Cincinnati is their safety values.

To know which city you should move to or visit, it is vital to know how safe a city is.

If crime rates concern you, then examining the statistics of both cities can give you some idea of how safe both cities are.

Like any other city, there are always safe areas and more dangerous areas.

However, the number of safe and dangerous areas may change based on a city’s crime rate.

NeighborhoodScout rates cities based on their safety compared to other cities in the United States.

It gave Cleveland a crime index rating of 2.

This indicates that Cleveland is safer than 2% of other cities in the United States.

It gave Cincinnati a crime index rating of 5.

This indicates that Cincinnati is safer than 5% of other cities in the United States.

Clearly, both cities have some problems with crime, but Cincinnati already seems to be a bit safer than Cleveland.

Breaking that rating down further, you can start to see differences between violent and property crimes.

In Cleveland, the crime rate for violent crime is 16.86 per 1,000 residents.

In Cincinnati, the crime rate for violent crime is 8.83 per 1,000 residents.

The chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Cleveland appear to be almost double that of Cincinnati.

In Cleveland, the crime rate for property crime is 41.43 per 1,000 residents.

In Cincinnati, the crime rate for property crime is 36.70 per 1,000 residents.

These statistics state several things.

It indicates that Cleveland also has a higher property crime rate than Cincinnati.

It also indicates that property crimes are more common in these cities than violent crimes.

Although Cleveland does have a higher property crime rate than Cincinnati, it isn’t by much.

Cleveland and Cincinnati are different because Cleveland has a bit more crime than Cincinnati.

 

Pros Of Cleveland

 

If you’re thinking of moving to Cleveland or visiting, then there are a lot of positives to consider.

Here are some of the pros of Cleveland, Ohio.

 

1. The Food

Back in 2015, Time counted Cleveland among its best food cities.

It cited great restaurants, fresh food, and unique menu choices.

They also appreciated Cleveland’s affordability when it came to food.

If food is a big thing for you, then Cleveland won’t disappoint.

 

2. Parks

If Cleveland has a reputation for anything, it’s a huge number of parks.

Besides having several Metroparks that dot the city, Cleveland is also near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

It offers tons of hiking adventures and an ability to quickly leave the city at any time and immediately reconnect with nature.

A lot of the parks also connect with one another.

Some even lead to the National Park.

As such, if you’re someone who’s fitness-focused or have a love for nature, then this city does its best to give you plenty of opportunities to be part of urban life and a rural one.

 

3. Lake Erie

One of the best aspects of Cleveland is that it sits right on Lake Erie.

Besides offering cool beach winds throughout the hot summer, if you love water, then you’re never in short supply of it.

There are tons of beaches that allow you to soak up the sun or go for a swim.

You can fish, kayak, or even take a boat trip on the huge lake.

Since Lake Erie connects to several other Great Lakes, you can even make an entire vacation trip out of boating.

 

Cons Of Cleveland

 

Although Cleveland has a lot to offer, there are some negative things to consider, too.

Here are a few cons of Cleveland.

 

1. Crime

With the crime rating listed earlier, there’s no question that the city does face some problems with crime.

As such, the city may not always feel the safest in certain areas.

If you’re extra worried about being a victim of a crime, then Cleveland may be a bit too scary for you.

 

2. Job Market

Cleveland has a few specific fields that it focuses on the most.

Finance, healthcare, and the automotive industry are all popular in Cleveland.

If you want a job outside of those fields, then you may struggle to find one.

While they are there, it may take time for a position to open up or for you to get something started.

As such, Cleveland is ideal for those who already have an interest in its main industries.

 

3. Lackluster Super Bowl

While you can cheer on the Cleveland Cavaliers, you should probably prepare for disappointment when it comes to the Browns.

Since they have yet to make an appearance at a Super Bowl championship, you’re going to experience a shortened playoff season.

You might want to consider adopting another NFL team other than the Browns.

 

Pros Of Cincinnati

 

Cincinnati has a lot to offer the right person.

Here are some pros of living in Cincinnati or visiting it.

 

1. Tons Of Breweries

If you love beer, then Cincinnati is the city for you.

More than 40 breweries are scattered throughout the city.

Whether you appreciate the craft or just love beer, you’ll find a lot to love in the city.

 

2. Lots Of Cultural Institutions

If you love museums, art galleries, and other cultural places of interest, then Cincinnati has you covered.

It has everything from huge museums to its own symphony hall.

There’s never a shortage of things to do or look at in the city.

It’s not uncommon for each institution to throw a special event either.

 

3. Low Cost Of Living

While Cincinnati’s cost of living is higher than Cleveland’s, it’s lower than the average in the United States.

That’s pretty great considering all that Cincinnati has to offer.

If you want to live in a relatively cheap city and make the most of your money, then Cincinnati is a great opportunity.

 

Cons Of Cincinnati

 

Although there’s a lot to love about Cincinnati, it does have its problems.

Here are some cons of living in Cincinnati or visiting it.

 

1. Unpredictable Weather

Due to its location, the weather in Cincinnati can be unpredictable.

This can make planning certain activities quite difficult.

You might plan a wedding for a sunny day only to have the weather change the day before.

It could be sunny one moment, and then pouring rain the next.

You might even experience all seasons in a single day.

Not knowing what to expect with Cincinnati’s weather can make it a frustrating place to live.

 

2. Not Much Public Transportation

For a city, Cincinnati doesn’t have an advanced public transportation system like many other cities.

While it offers a metro and streetcar system, it doesn’t have a subway.

The best way to get around in the city is often by car.

That may not be ideal for someone who prefers to use public transportation to get around.

 

3. Segregation

Like many other cities, Cincinnati is a victim of redlining during urban development.

Today, not much has changed to help integrate the different neighborhoods.

Since segregation often leads to systemic racism, it’s a problem that the city continues to struggle with.

 

Conclusion

While Cleveland and Cincinnati are both major cities in Ohio, there are quite a few differences between them.

Understanding these differences—and the pros and cons of each city—can help you determine which city is better for you in terms of moving or visiting.