Moving from Cleveland, OH to Cincinnati, OH
Moving from Cleveland, OH to Cincinnati, OH covers 246 mi and about 4h 39m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
246 mi Β· 4h 39m by car Β· OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Cleveland (93.923) and Cincinnati (95.37) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Cincinnati: 1.5% above Cleveland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 43.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Cincinnati is 1.5% above Cleveland ($39,187 vs $51,707, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 1.5% higher than Cleveland (95.37 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 246 mi and the route typically takes 4h 39m via I 71. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 31.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 116.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Cincinnati, OH.