City Comparison
Clayton vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clayton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clayton
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clayton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Clayton | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,365 | $2,451 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 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 Clayton is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Clayton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clayton runs warmer on average — a 55.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clayton comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clayton sees 16.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clayton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Clayton.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clayton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clayton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Clayton 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 | Clayton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,125 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clayton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly more affordable than northern Delaware and nearby major metropolitan areas.
Crime rates in Clayton are substantially lower than the national average, providing a notably secure and family-friendly environment.
Favorable Delaware tax structure, including low property taxes and no state sales tax, benefits residents' long-term financial planning.
Strategic location along major regional corridors offers manageable commutes to employment centers in Dover, Wilmington, and Maryland.
Tight-knit community character featuring historic charm, local parks, and active neighborhood engagement.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency due to limited public transportation options within suburban residential areas.
Limited local dining, nightlife, and entertainment options within town limits, requiring travel to neighboring towns for variety.
Inventory of available rental housing can be tight, as the market is heavily weighted toward single-family homeownership.
Local commercial infrastructure is modest, necessitating regular trips to Smyrna or Dover for major retail shopping.
Regional traffic congestion can build up along key commuter arteries during peak morning and evening rush hours.
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.
Clayton
#59Delaware, USA
70.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
55.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
67
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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