City Comparison
Ankeny vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ankeny scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ankeny
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ankeny is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Ankeny | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,380 | $2,451 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 10% 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 Ankeny is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Ankeny | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,958 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ankeny runs warmer on average — a 52.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ankeny comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ankeny sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ankeny | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ankeny | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Ankeny.
From a growth perspective, Ankeny is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ankeny has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ankeny | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,200 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ankeny
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average per FBI data.
Exceptional public school system (Ankeny Community School District) attracting many families to the area.
Vibrant commercial hubs like The District at Prairie Trail offering diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Rapid economic growth and low unemployment rate tied to a diverse regional job market.
Extensive parks and recreation network featuring over 100 miles of paved trails.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Rising housing costs and property taxes driven by rapid population growth.
Cold and snowy winter conditions with average winter lows dropping to 15.3°F.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Limited nightlife options compared to the nearby urban center of Des Moines.
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.
Ankeny
#6Iowa, USA
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
78
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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