City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,451 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 4% higher 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 Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brookhaven runs warmer on average — a 63.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brookhaven comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Brookhaven.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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