City Comparison
Boulder vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boulder scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Boulder.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder's average rent is
70% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Boulder | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,410 | +70% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,395 | $2,451 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 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 Boulder is estimated at
$68,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Boulder | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $87,493 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boulder runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boulder comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder sees 31.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Boulder scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boulder leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boulder | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Boulder.
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 | Boulder | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,689 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder
Advantages
Unmatched access to open space and outdoor recreation, with over 300 days of annual sunshine and miles of direct trail access.
Exceptionally high educational attainment levels, with over 75% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or advanced qualification.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem fueled by proximity to the University of Colorado Boulder and federal research labs.
Robust multi-modal transportation infrastructure featuring extensive bike paths, pedestrian corridors, and reliable regional transit.
Active, health-conscious community culture emphasizing sustainability, organic foods, and active wellness.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing market pressures, with average monthly rent exceeding $2,300.
Limited ethnic and racial diversity compared to broader metropolitan benchmarks in Colorado.
Competitive real estate environment making homeownership challenging for median-income earners.
Traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours to and from Denver.
Strict growth boundaries driving up commercial lease rates for local small businesses and startups.
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.
Boulder
#467Colorado, USA
54.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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