City Comparison
Bristol vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bristol scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bristol
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Bristol.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bristol's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Bristol | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,580 | $2,451 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 16% 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 Bristol is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Bristol | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,347 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $79,076 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bristol runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bristol comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bristol sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bristol | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Bristol.
Bristol 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 | Bristol | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Bristol.
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 | Bristol | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,462 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.55% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bristol
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents remain notably lower than the Connecticut state average per Zillow data.
Home to ESPN, providing a unique national economic footprint and high-profile media sector presence.
Features exceptional family recreation spaces, including the historic Rockwell Park and Lake Compounce.
Favorable violent crime rates that sit well below national urban averages.
Centrally located in Hartford County with straightforward highway access to major employment hubs like Hartford and Waterbury.
Drawbacks
Regional public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands.
Statewide electricity and utility costs can run high during peak winter weather months.
Over-the-year employment growth in the local planning region has experienced slight contractions per BLS reports.
Older housing stock in certain historic areas may require significant maintenance or updates.
Higher state income and local tax burdens typical of Connecticut municipalities.
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.
Bristol
#280Connecticut, USA
61.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$66,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.55%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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