City Comparison
Chesterfield vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chesterfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chesterfield
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Chesterfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chesterfield's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,451 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chesterfield runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chesterfield comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chesterfield sees 20 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Chesterfield | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 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 0.2x the population of Chesterfield.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,995 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chesterfield
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Missouri with crime rates well below the national average
Home to top-performing Parkway and Rockwood school districts serving local families
Thriving local economy with major employers in healthcare, biotechnology, and corporate services
Abundant green spaces, including over 20 city parks and extensive multi-use trail systems
Strategic location along Interstate 64 providing easy access to downtown St. Louis and Lambert International Airport
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing prices are significantly higher than the Missouri state average
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city
Increasing traffic congestion along major commercial corridors and highway interchanges during peak hours
Limited inventory of affordable entry-level housing options for first-time buyers
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to surrounding unincorporated areas
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.
Chesterfield
#125Missouri, USA
66.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
86
Business
80
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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