City Comparison
Chicago vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Chicago.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chicago's average rent is
45% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Chicago | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,410 | +45% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,451 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chicago runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chicago comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chicago sees 28.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Chicago.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 8.5x the population of Cincinnati.
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 | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
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.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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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