Performance
Score Breakdown
Aachen
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aachen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aachen's average rent is
39% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Aachen | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $856 | $1,410 | -39% |
| Groceries | $350 | $493 | -29% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $73 | $120 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,709 | $2,451 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 94% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aachen is estimated at
$2,943 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Aachen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,680 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,943 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,750 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aachen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 79.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Aachen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aachen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aachen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Aachen.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aachen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aachen
Advantages
Aachen offers a high quality of life with top-notch healthcare and public transport.
The city boasts a growing economy and a strong tech hub, leading to numerous job opportunities, especially in technology and engineering.
Aachen has low crime rates, making it a safe place to live.
Its location near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands provides excellent travel perks and a diverse cultural experience.
The cost of living, particularly rent, is more affordable compared to major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Drawbacks
Aachen's weather can be a drawback, with frequent rain, especially during winter.
While English is common, a good grasp of German is often necessary for daily life and local job opportunities.
The housing market is competitive, and finding accommodation, especially for students, can involve long waiting lists.
The nightlife scene is not as extensive as in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne.
Making friends with local residents can be challenging for expats, with a lower ease-of-making-friends score compared to the global average.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aachen
#3North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$856
Avg Salary
$4,680
Cost Index
48
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#53Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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