City Comparison
Buckeye vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
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 Buckeye.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buckeye's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Buckeye | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,451 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Buckeye | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buckeye runs warmer on average — a 75.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buckeye comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buckeye sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buckeye | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
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 | Buckeye | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye 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 | Buckeye | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
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.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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