City Comparison
Arlington Heights vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arlington Heights scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington Heights
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Arlington Heights.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington Heights's average rent is
31% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,410 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,451 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Arlington Heights is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $105,845 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington Heights runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington Heights comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington Heights sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington Heights leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Arlington Heights.
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 | Arlington Heights | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,101 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington Heights
Advantages
Direct Metra train service to downtown Chicago provides an efficient commute for working professionals.
Consistently top-ranked public school districts draw many families to the area.
A vibrant, walkable downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
Exceptional public safety record with crime rates well below the national average.
An extensive local park district operating numerous neighborhood parks, pools, and community programs.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Illinois and Arlington Heights are notably higher than the national average.
Housing inventory can be tight and competitive, driving up purchasing costs for single-family homes.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring regular snow removal and winter preparedness.
Car dependency is moderate to high outside of the immediate downtown district.
Traffic congestion can be heavy during peak rush hours along major regional arteries like Route 14 and I-90.
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.
Arlington Heights
#158Illinois, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
75
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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