Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
18% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Barrie | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,669 | $1,410 | +18% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $182 | $178 | +2% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,451 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 36% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$66,756 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Barrie | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,212 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,756 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $73,434 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
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 | Barrie | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Barrie.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,419 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
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.
Barrie
#23Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
Cincinnati
#62Ohio, 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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