Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
55% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $1,410 | +55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $220 | $178 | +24% |
| Transport | $180 | $120 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $2,451 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 21% 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 Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
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 | Bel Air South | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Bel Air South.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South 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 | Bel Air South | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
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.
Bel Air South
#53Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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