City Comparison
Bologna vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bologna scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bologna
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bologna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bologna's average rent is
11% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Bologna | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,410 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $190 | $178 | +7% |
| Transport | $45 | $120 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,015 | $2,451 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 57% 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 Bologna is estimated at
$30,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Bologna | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,463 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $36,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bologna runs warmer on average — a 59.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bologna comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bologna sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bologna | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bologna.
Bologna scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bologna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bologna | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 85.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bologna is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Cincinnati.
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 | Bologna | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bologna
Advantages
Home to the University of Bologna, providing a vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere
World-renowned culinary capital offering exceptional local gastronomy and vibrant food markets
Strategic geographic location with a major high-speed railway hub connecting all of Italy
Extensive UNESCO-listed medieval porticos providing pedestrian cover across the historic center
Robust regional economy with low unemployment and strong advanced manufacturing sectors
Drawbacks
Competitive and increasingly expensive rental housing market driven by student and tourist demand
Strict traffic regulations (ZTL) and limited parking options within the historic city center
Summer temperatures can be humid and high due to the Po Valley basin geography
Bureaucratic administrative processes typical of major Italian municipal governance
High demand for property has pushed purchase prices upward across desirable central districts
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.
Bologna
#51Emilia-Romagna, Italy
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
85.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
59.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
86
Business
76
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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