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7 Best Neighborhoods in Cincinnati, OH 2022

May 9, 2022

Cincinnati, Ohio, is a blue-collar sports city with a rich history, gorgeous views, and an ever-growing collection of things to do.

The growing city has attracted tens of thousands of new residents in the past few decades. So if you’re ready to count yourself among the new Cincinnatians, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re ready to make a move to Cincinnati, you’re in the right place! Keep reading for an in-depth look at the best Cincinnati neighborhoods and what they have to offer.

Let’s dive in!

What to Look for in a Cincinnati Neighborhood

Not all Cincinnati neighborhoods are created equal. In fact, for a city of its size, Cincinnati boasts an impressive collection of distinct and diverse neighborhoods within its boundaries. That’s likely one of the reasons Cincinnati is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Ohio.

While you’ll have to determine which neighborhood suits you best according to your preferences, you should consider a few starting points.

Here’s a brief breakdown of what to look for in a Cincinnati neighborhood.

A View: Cincinnati is unique in that it’s a very hilly city. As a result, some neighborhoods, like Mount Lookout and Mount Adams, offer residents incredible views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River.
Transportation Options: Choose a neighborhood that best suits your preferred mode of transport. For example, if you like to cycle to get around, you might find that Downtown Cincinnati will suit you best with its solid bike score and bike infrastructure. If you prefer to drive, you’ll enjoy a neighborhood like West Chester or Pleasant Ridge, where cars are necessary.
Lifestyle Match: What do you like to do? That’s the first question you should ask yourself when renting. You’ll want to choose a neighborhood that best matches your lifestyle preferences. For example, Hyde Park is a great place to call home if you like to shop and mingle. Pleasant Ridge’s many parks will call to you if you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors.
Affordability: Fortunately, the cost of living in Cincinnati is low. It’s easy to get a lot of bang for your buck. However, some neighborhoods in Cincinnati are known for their wealth and affluence, such as the gentrified areas in Over-the-Rhine. Choose a neighborhood with a median rent that you can comfortably afford.

Findlay Market is a trendy farmer's marketplace in the historic Over the Rhine district in Cincinnati, OH.

Best Neighborhoods in Cincinnati, OH

Although Cincinnati doesn’t have the glitz and glam of larger cities, it’s an up-and-coming city with so much to offer a prospective new resident. Each neighborhood has something special, from distinct architecture to unconventional ice cream parlors.

Keep reading for our in-depth look at the best Cincinnati neighborhoods.

1. Pleasant Ridge

Population: 12,492
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $798
Median Household Income: $54,104
Walk Score: 48
Transit Score: 40
Bike Score: 28

Pleasant Ridge is a Cincinnati neighborhood with a unique selling point. One of the neighborhood’s most notable features is its gaslights. As a result, living in the neighborhood can sometimes feel like having traveled to the pre-lightbulb past, especially at night.

Light fixtures aside, Pleasant Ridge may be small, but it’s mighty. The neighborhood boasts a designated business district with plenty of small businesses, restaurants, and much more. Many local businesses are long-standing and have the steady support of residents.

Moreover, Pleasant Ridge is considered an artist's haven, with a community-level focus on fostering artistic expression and community development. So, despite its size, Pleasant Ridge offers the best of both worlds regarding urban and suburban living.

When renting in the neighborhood, you’ll find that most apartment units available in Pleasant Ridge are those within apartment communities. However, there are also a small number of single-family homes and duplex apartments available.

Further, you’ll find it hard to get around without your own set of wheels. All necessary amenities such as grocery stores, banking, and schools are easily accessible by car but are far less convenient to reach on foot.

Fortunately, there are other ways of being active outside of walking. The Pleasant Ridge Rec Center includes tennis courts, a fitness center, a gymnasium, a baseball field, a soccer field, and more. It’s a family-friendly destination for fun and fitness.

There are also several other parks within the neighborhood’s boundaries, including Daniel Drake Park, French Park, and Kennedy Heights Park. Each green space offers plenty of fun options for outdoor recreation, from running to enjoying a picnic.

2. Downtown

Population: 3,857
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,452
Median Household Income: $91,244
Walk Score: 97
Transit Score: 82
Bike Score: 60

Downtown Cincinnati serves as the city’s thriving core and holds some of the city’s most popular amenities. As such, Downtown Cincinnati is an excellent match for renters who want to experience all that the city has to offer and live right in the heart of the action.

Like most downtown city centers, Downtown Cincinnati is the city’s most walkable and bustling neighborhood. You don’t need a car since walking, cycling, and public transit are all viable options for residents looking to save on gas and car insurance.

However, if you own a vehicle, Downtown features an impressive ‘park and ride’ option that makes it easy to get around the neighborhood regardless of how you got there.

As one of the city’s busiest areas, Downtown Cincinnati attracts plenty of foot traffic. Residents flock to the neighborhood for delicious meals from one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants, buy specialized goods, and pretty much everything in between.

It’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll always have something to do if you choose to live in Downtown Cincinnati.

If you’re an MLB fan, Downtown offers easy access to the Great American Ballpark, home to the Cincinnati Reds and plenty of great ball games. Paul Brown Stadium, home to the Cincinnati Bengals, is another popular destination for sports fans in the city.

As Cincinnati is a sports city, you’ll find no shortage of sports bars in the area. So grab a drink and cheer for the home team surrounded by dedicated fans — there are far worse ways to spend the weekend.

If you’re looking for some tamer action, Downtown is home to a thriving arts and theater community, including plenty of theater and music venues, alongside art galleries. All in all, Downtown Cincinnati is an excellent fit for new residents looking for cheap apartments in an ideal location.

3. West Chester

Population: 64,901
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,166
Median Household Income: $97,107
Walk Score: 6
Transit Score: —
Bike Score: 15

Although West Chester is a township all its own, it’s still considered a part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. As a result, West Chester offers a distinct feel that differs significantly from that found in the more urban areas of Cincinnati.

As the township’s motto is “Where Families Grow, and Businesses Prosper,” it’s not surprising that West Chester feels like a small town, despite its large population.

The community is very involved in West Chester’s growth and politics. In addition, small businesses thrive in the township as locals look to support their own.

The West Chester Market provides residents with the chance to buy locally grown goods and artisan wares and spend a day out enjoying family-friendly activities. Just head to the MidPointe Library in the warmer months and Muhlhauser Barn in the winter months.

Residents flock to Beckett Park and Keehner Park, which boast many amenities, including basketball courts, tennis courts, trails, accessible playgrounds, fishing ponds, and much more.

Rounding out the public parks in West Chester is The Square @ Union Centre Park, which plays host to concerts and community events throughout the year.

Keep in mind that most of West Chester’s housing units are owner-occupied, with renters making up less than a quarter of housing occupants. So, don’t expect a huge variety of rental options, as most units are those within apartment communities.

4. Over-the-Rhine

Population: 5,200
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $739
Median Household Income: $40,484
Walk Score: 94
Transit Score: 72
Bike Score: 65

Over-the-Rhine is a historic Cincinnati neighborhood with working-class roots. Although the neighborhood certainly boasts some modern touches, it’s truly a blast from the past, with several historic buildings and landmarks still standing proud.

Over-the-Rhine has its own dedicated Brewery District that serves as Cincinnati’s brewing center. However, the area saw a decline that was recently reversed.

Over-the-Rhine has experienced substantial gentrification in recent years, with many long-standing residents forced to move out due to increasing rent costs.

Alongside a tide of new residents, Over-the-Rhine’s gentrification has led to increased development and transformed the once blue-collar neighborhood into a hub for the city’s wealthy.

That said, the majority of Over-the-Rhine still holds fast to its roots. Overall, Over-the-Rhine offers a mix of old and new residents, plenty of shopping opportunities, and hole-in-the-wall joints that give the neighborhood its unique, unforgettable vibe.

If you choose to rent in Over-the-Rhine, you may find that your options are limited. The area is in the midst of revitalization, and development is still in progress. Most units available in the neighborhood include those within apartment buildings.

Ideally, you’ll be able to snag a place near the gorgeous Washington Park. This public green space boasts amenities such as concessions, a children’s playground, a dog park, a water park, and easy access to bars and restaurants once you’ve worked up an appetite!

5. Mount Adams

Population: 1,629
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,323
Median Household Income: $85,000
Walk Score: 59
Transit Score: 62
Bike Score: 49

Mount Adams is another Cincinnati neighborhood that has held onto its historic features well. The neighborhood is tinged with remnants of the past while still incorporating some modern elements.

Situated at the top of one of Cincinnati's many hills, Mount Adams offers a gorgeous view of the city and its surrounding features. The location attracts many young professionals but has a reputation for being one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Cincinnati.

True to its affluent reputation, Mount Adams’ streets look like they’ve been pulled out of a magazine. Small shops and boutiques are set alongside historic buildings with scarred but lovely facades.

Mount Adams’ quiet atmosphere during the waking hours masks its transformation into a thriving nightlife hub in the evenings.

Local bars are flooded with young professionals and college students looking to let off some steam, socialize, dance, and eat on Friday and Saturday nights.

If you’d like to do the same during the waking hours, Mount Adams is home to many restaurants serving delicious food ranging from Mexican cuisine to burger joints and lots in between.

Renting options in Mount Adams are nicely varied, with luxury units, traditional apartments, lofts, and duplex units available.

6. Mount Lookout

Population: 5,249
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,464
Median Household Income: $103,266
Walk Score: 43
Transit Score: 35
Bike Score: 32

Mount Lookout is one of Cincinnati’s easternmost neighborhoods, known for its wealthy residents and upscale vibe.

The trendy neighborhood attracts young professionals and families impressed with the neighborhood’s solid safety rating.

Most are attracted to the small neighborhood's sheer volume of things to do.

If good eats are your jam, sushi, coffee shops, bakeries, pizzerias, and taverns line the neighborhood’s streets. You’ll also find several bars offering a mix of anything from craft beers to cocktails.

Prefer to spend your free time outdoors? Head to Ault Park. Cherry blossoms, trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and scenic viewing points are just a few of the amenities you’ll find within Ault Park. It’s quite a popular destination and draws large crowds in the summer months as it hosts community events.

You’ll likely prefer to use a car when getting around Mount Lookout. There are some public transit options, but the neighborhood isn’t very walkable and lacks bike infrastructure.

If you plan on renting in Mount Lookout, you’re in luck! Despite being known for its affluence, Mount Lookout apartments are still relatively affordable. You’ll find that even the luxury units boasting tons of apartment amenities won’t break the bank.

In addition to the typical units within apartment buildings and communities, Mount Lookout’s rental selection also includes single-family homes for those that need a little more space.

7. Hyde Park

Population: 14,178
Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,038
Median Household Income: $93,451
Walk Score: 59
Transit Score: 42
Bike Score: 46

Hyde Park is a neighborhood situated on Cincinnati’s eastern end. The area has a reputation as one of Cincinnati’s affluent neighborhoods. Fortunately, despite the neighborhood’s reputation, it’s still easy to find relatively affordable units within Hyde Park’s borders.

Hyde Park Square is one of Cincinnati’s premier shopping and retail hubs. Within the Square, you’ll find Graeter’s Ice Cream, a nationally famed ice cream parlor specializing in extra dense ice cream and lauded by celebs like Oprah.

Outside of cold desserts, Hyde Park Square is home to art galleries, boutiques, locally-owned small businesses, and much more. It’s easy to get lost exploring the Square and getting caught up in the area’s bustle during the weekends.

Fortunately, the area outside Hyde Park Square is mainly residential, so it’s easy to enjoy a quiet and peaceful evening without getting caught up in the crowd.

If you’re looking to rent in Hyde Park, many units are available. However, the vast majority of them are located within apartment communities and buildings with a host of amenities. So, if you need more space for your family, you may have to look outside of the neighborhood for more single-family homes or larger apartment units.

As a whole, Hyde Park best suits renters looking to live near the Downtown area but not too far away from the action. Hyde Park may be an excellent match for young professionals and students living in Cincinnati, with plenty of shopping and recreation opportunities.