Moving to Cincinnati or just planning a visit? You may be curious about the nicest neighborhoods, the best areas to live and visit, and the wealthy parts of Cincinnati.
Cincinnati isn’t one of the richest cities in Ohio, and it isn’t even the most affluent city in Greater Cincinnati or the Tri-State area. However, its low cost of living and affordable home prices mean even modest income goes far.
What is the richest neighborhood in Cincinnati? Here’s a look at the top ten rich neighborhoods in Cincinnati based on median household income. You’ll find this list includes a combination of very safe, residential areas and fun urban neighborhoods with luxury, nightlife and walkability!
Table of Contents
#1. California – Richest Neighborhood in Cincinnati Known for Coney Island Park & Riverbend
- California, Cincinnati population: 800
- California median household income: $124,200
- California, Cincinnati average home price: $1.25 million
- California, Cincinnati homes for sale
The small neighborhood of California tops the list of rich neighborhoods in Cincinnati with a median household income of more than $124,000 – over $25,000 more than the next community on this list. That’s also 259% higher than the Cincinnati median household income.
The neighborhood’s population is very small, but 57% of households earn at least $100,000 a year and most of these households earn $200,000+. Still, the community comes in third by mean household income of the highest earners. The top 5% of households have a mean income of $714,000!
California is better known to locals as Grove Park, the original name for Coney Island, the water park the neighborhood is centered around. The water park, Belterra casino, and Riverbend Music Center, one of the city’s largest music venues, have earned the neighborhood the nickname of Cincinnati’s Playland. You’ll find this neighborhood where the Ohio River and Little Miami River meet next to Anderson Township, the East End, and Mt. Washington.
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#2. Mt. Adams – Hip, Affluent Cincinnati Neighborhood Popular with Millennials & Young Professionals
- Mt. Adams population: 1,700
- Mt. Adams median household income: $98,500
- Mt Adams, Cincinnati average home price: $370,000
- Mt. Adams homes for sale
Mt. Adams is second on the list of richest neighborhoods in Cincinnati, but it ranks first for mean income of the wealthiest residents. The top 5% of households in Mount Adams earn a mean $909,500 per year compared to $309,000 among Cincinnati’s top 5%. The neighborhood’s median household income approaches the six-figure mark and it’s 185% over the city median.
The neighborhood is just east of downtown Cincinnati and west of the East End. It’s surrounded by Eden Park, one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful landmarks. Mt. Adams is home to one of Cincinnati’s most scenic spots for river and skyline views, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Krohn Conservatory as well as the Cincinnati Art Museum. With a downtown commute of just minutes, gorgeous views from the hill, and the city’s best cultural and outdoor attractions, it’s easy to see why Mt. Adams is one of the richest areas of Cincinnati.
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#3. Mt. Lookout – One of the Richest Neighborhoods in Cincinnati with a Walkable Business District & High Home Prices
- Mt. Lookout population: 6,000
- Mt. Lookout median household income: $96,400
- Mt. Lookout, Cincinnati average home price: $450,000
- Mt. Lookout homes for sale
The top 5% of households in Mt. Lookout have a mean household income of $599,000 – 622% above the mean of the top 5% citywide. 52% of Mt. Lookout households earn at least $100,000 per year. Only the small neighborhood of California ranks higher.
Mt. Lookout is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Cincinnati to buy a home. That isn’t surprising considering it’s also one of the safest places to live in Cincinnati and known for its upscale Mt. Lookout Square shopping district with boutiques and restaurants. Mt. Lookout boasts two of the best Cincinnati parks – Alm Park and Ault Park – and one of the city’s most famous restaurants, Zip’s Café, a neighborhood landmark since 1926.
Mount Lookout is one of the best places to live in Cincinnati for young professionals thanks to its ideal location just 10 minutes from downtown with hangout spots, bars, and sushi joints all within walking distance. About 1 out of every 3 Mt. Lookout residents is a younger adult between 22 and 39.
#4. Hyde Park – One of the Best Places to Live in Cincinnati Known for Its Affluence, Private Schools & Square
- Hyde Park population: 13,900
- Hyde Park, Cincinnati median household income: $75,300
- Hyde Park average home price: $377,000
- Hyde Park, Cincinnati homes for sale
Hyde Park may be fourth on this list, but it’s often the first neighborhood locals think of when asked about the wealthy neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Unlike some of the rich Cincinnati neighborhoods on this list which may appear humble, Hyde Park has a culture of affluence. The top 5% of households earn a mean $585,000 per year and almost 40% of households earn at least $100,000 per year.
Hyde Park has some of the best schools in the city including numerous private schools like St. Ursula Villa and Springer School and Center. It’s known for its beautiful homes with Tudor and Victorian Architecture and some of the top Cincinnati landmarks and cultural attractions like the historic Hyde Park Square and the Cincinnati Observatory. There are two country clubs in Hyde Park along with art galleries and upscale restaurants with the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University minutes away.
#5. Central Business District – One of the Richest Neighborhoods in Cincinnati, Ohio with Museums, Nightlife, Live Music & Sports
- Central Business District population: 4,900
- Central Business District median household income: $66,000
- CBD, Cincinnati average home price: $$297,500
- Downtown, Cincinnati homes for sale
Nestled along the Ohio River across from Newport and Covington, Kentucky is Cincinnati’s Central Business District. Median household income drops significantly from fourth to fifth on this list of rich neighborhoods in Cincinnati, but downtown residents still have a median income higher than the national average and enjoy a low cost of living. You’ll find a range of renovated, amenity-packed condos downtown in the $200s and $300s.
The heart of Downtown Cincinnati, the Central Business District is the entertainment, sports, and business hub for the city. This bustling neighborhood always offers something fun to do.
Over-the-Rhine or OTR, the main nightlife destination in the city, is a short walk away. Along the riverfront is Smale Park and The Banks, a waterfront entertainment district with sports stadiums and a brand-new music venue. Catch a Reds game at the Great American Ball Park and cheer on the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium just blocks away. Stop by the iconic Fountain Square almost any day of the week for community events like ice skating, live music, and food festivals. The Central Business District also hosts the city’s Oktoberfest every year!
You’ll also find many of the best performing arts centers, venues, and museums in Cincinnati within walking distance including Taft Theater and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Of course, downtown Cincinnati also boasts tons of cocktail lounges, bars, breweries, and jazz clubs including Cincinnati’s two oldest bars: O’Malley’s in the Alley and Arnold’s Bar & Grill, continuously operating since 1838.
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#6. East End – One of the Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Cincinnati with Waterfront Homes & Great Views
- East End population: 1,000
- East End, Cincinnati median household income: $63,600
- East End average home price: $775,000
- East End, Cincinnati homes for sale
The East End may be low on the list of wealthiest neighborhoods in Cincinnati based on household income, but it’s one of the most expensive places to buy a house in Cincinnati. Residents also have a median household income almost 16% higher than the median for the Midwest and 20% higher than the Ohio median.
This V-shaped neighborhood stretches and winds along the Ohio River east of Mt. Adams all the way to California and Mt. Washington. Once the heart of Cincinnati’s manufacturing industry, it has seen major redevelopment in recent years. Residents enjoy an assortment of beautiful parks, miles of trails, and historic Victorian architecture and churches with a walkable business district home to bars, coffee shops, and family-owned restaurants. The 238-acre Otto Armleder Memorial Park & Recreation Complex is one of the neighborhood’s highlights and one of Cincinnati’s best dog parks.
#7. Paddock Hills – Small, Wealthy Neighborhood in Cincinnati with Historic Homes
- Paddock Hills population: 1,600
- Paddock Hills median household income: $60,000
- Paddock Hills, Cincinnati average home price: $276,500
- Paddock Hills homes for sale
One of the smallest Cincinnati neighborhoods by area with just 0.5 square miles of area, Paddock Hills bills itself as “the best kept secret of Cincinnati.” This safe community is affluent by Cincinnati standards with higher-than-average home prices. It’s best known for its historic homes and beautiful architecture with Dutch Colonial, bungalow, and Tudor Revival homes.
#8. Oakley – Hip, Redeveloped Cincinnati Neighborhood with Nightlife, Entertainment & Shopping
- Oakley population: 8,500
- Oakley, Cincinnati median household income: $56,600
- Oakley average home price: $323,000
- Oakley, Cincinnati homes for sale
This Cincinnati neighborhood next to Hyde Park and Pleasant Ridge has completely transformed itself over the past two decades and is now a popular destination for nightlife and entertainment. One of the main crosstown arteries to downtown, Oakley is home to Oakley Square, the main business district, plus two shopping centers like Oakley Station and Hyde Park Plaza just to the south. Families and millennials appreciate the breadth of nearby amenities and family-friendly activities like the Urban Air Adventure Park and the Oakley Playground. The neighborhood is known for its popular Oakley After Hours street festival held every month with drink and food specials, live music, and activities.
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#9. Mt. Washington – Affordable Riverfront Community & One of the Nicest Neighborhoods in Cincinnati
- Mt. Washington population: 11,800
- Mt. Washington, Cincinnati median household income: $56,200
- Mt. Washington average home price: $194,500
- Mt. Washington, Cincinnati homes for sale
One of the largest Cincinnati neighborhoods is also one of its most affluent, yet it remains affordable with an average home price well below the national average. Mt. Washington, Cincinnati is on the east side, generally considered the “rich side of town,” next to the wealthy East End and California neighborhoods right on the Little Miami River. The community is known for its small businesses and commercial areas. It was here that Gold Star Chili was founded, now one of the most recognizable brands of Cincy chili. Residents enjoy great amenities like the Mt. Washington Recreation Center and the wooded California Woods Nature Preserve.
#10. Kennedy Heights – Family-Friendly Residential Neighborhood with Excellent Schools & Parks
- Kennedy Heights population: 4,900
- Kennedy Heights, Cincinnati median household income: $55,500
- Kennedy average home price: $202,000
- Kennedy Heights homes for sale
The median household income in Kennedy Heights is just slightly above the U.S. median ($55,300) and the Midwest ($53,600), but the low cost of living in Cincinnati means that income still goes far.
Kennedy Heights is almost entirely a residential community and rounds out the list of wealthiest neighborhoods in Cincinnati. It’s also one of the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati for families thanks to its low crime, excellent schools, and outdoor recreation. The community is home to the Woodford Academy magnet school, the Kennedy Heights Montessori Center and the Roman Catholic Summit Country Day School, among the top schools in the city. Residents love the well-maintained Kennedy Heights Park and the quiet, forested Daniel Drake Park with the Kenwood Mall just minutes away.
Located at the edge of the city limits next to Silverton and Pleasant Ridge, Kennedy Heights offers all the perks of living within minutes of downtown with the safety, green space, and comfort of the suburbs.
Map of Rich Neighborhoods in Cincinnati
Does living in one of these wealthy neighborhoods in Cincinnati sound perfect for you? Once you’ve chosen the right community to call home, Bell Moving & Storage is here to help. Give us a call to discuss an upcoming relocation with our team of 5-star movers who will have you settled in without the stress and hassle.
