Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Cincinnati, OH
VS
Livonia, MI
🏆 Livonia leads 13 of 23 categories
Cincinnati
Ohio
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,191
Violent Crime Index
223⚠ High
Population
308,870 ✓ Larger
Livonia
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$92,458 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
94,928
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Cincinnati, OH
Pros
Rent averages $342/mo less ($893 vs $1,235)
Homes cost $57k less ($192,000 vs $249,000)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.1)
Milder winters — January highs near 41°F vs 30°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Livonia
Cons
Median income trails Livonia by $43,267/yr
Violent crime (845.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3829.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.0%)
Livonia, MI
Pros
Households earn $43,267 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Cincinnati
Violent crime is well below the national average (228.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Cons
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Cincinnati
Key Differences at a Glance
Cincinnati
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 94.1 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Cincinnati
Median Home Value
$57k less
$192,000 vs $249,000
Cincinnati
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 86.6°F vs 82.9°F
Livonia
Median Income
$43,267
$92,458 vs $49,191/yr
Livonia
Violent Crime
73% lower
228.1 vs 845.6 per 100k
Livonia
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Livonia, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.1 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $192,000 ✓ Lower | $249,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $893 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $49,191 | $92,458 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 13.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 206⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 223⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 182⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 39.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.1% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cincinnati Public Schools | Livonia Public Schools School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.6°F ✓ Warmer | 30.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.4" | 33.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.0" ✓ Less | 36.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 308,870 ✓ Larger | 94,928 |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 45.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.0% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 21.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Cincinnati's cost of living index is 94.1 vs Livonia's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Cincinnati is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Livonia leads 13 of 23 categories. Cincinnati wins 10 and Livonia wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Cincinnati to Livonia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($192,000 vs $249,000 median home), income ($49,191 vs $92,458), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Cincinnati, OH and Livonia, MI are about 233 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.