City Comparison
Butte vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
33% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Butte | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,410 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,451 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 32% 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 Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Butte | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butte runs warmer on average — a 42.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 56.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
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 | Butte | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Butte.
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 | Butte | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
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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