Cincinnati and Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Cincinnati | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,270,706 | 2,130,055 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $81,120 | $79,852 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $44,674 | $43,743 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 518/sq mi | 521/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $258,600 | $265,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,105 | $1,191 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.3% | 66.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.6% | -0.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 38.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 10.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 9,051 | 12,830 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.0 | 6.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 30.6% | 5.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 24°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.4" | 40.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.4 min | 27.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.2 | 36.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Cincinnati
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metro Area · Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology