City Comparison
Castle Rock vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Castle Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Castle Rock
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Castle Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Castle Rock's average rent is
26% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,772 | $1,410 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,702 | $2,451 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Castle Rock offers 8% 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 Castle Rock is estimated at
$66,996 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,996 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $145,197 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Castle Rock runs warmer on average — a 50°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Castle Rock comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Castle Rock sees 31.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Castle Rock.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Castle Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 11.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Castle Rock.
From a growth perspective, Castle Rock 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 | Castle Rock | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,815 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.72% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Castle Rock
Advantages
Ranked as one of the safest cities and suburbs in Colorado with low violent and property crime rates per FBI and SafeWise data.
Exceptional median household income of $145,197, outperforming state and national benchmarks significantly.
Robust outdoor amenity network featuring over 20 parks, 80 miles of trails, and the iconic Rock Park.
Top-rated healthcare infrastructure anchored by AdventHealth Castle Rock, a designated Level III trauma center with an 'A' safety grade.
Thriving local business environment and downtown district offering high-end dining, shopping, and community festivals.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses run significantly higher than the national average, impacting affordability.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options, leading to heavy reliance on I-25 for commuting.
Rapid population growth has intensified traffic congestion along key local arteries and the main interstate corridors.
Average rent and home purchase prices place a heavy financial burden on lower-income service workers and young adults.
Strict water conservation and growth management policies can face friction as the municipality approaches buildout caps.
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.
Castle Rock
#55Colorado, USA
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,772
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
11.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
50.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.72%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
85
Business
76
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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