Performance
Score Breakdown
Cold Lake
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cold Lake is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cold Lake's average rent is
14% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,410 | -14% |
| Groceries | $321 | $493 | -35% |
| Utilities | $176 | $178 | -1% |
| Transport | $487 | $120 | +306% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $2,451 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 41% 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 Cold Lake is estimated at
$40,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,347 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,526 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $85,007 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| 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 | Cold Lake | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Cold Lake.
From a growth perspective, Cold Lake 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 | Cold Lake | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.18% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cold Lake
Advantages
Average salary in Cold Lake is 19.6% higher than the Canadian national average as of July 2026.
The city benefits from significant defence investment, including a $525M investment at CFB Cold Lake for a Military Fighter Squadron Facility.
Cold Lake Transit offers a free public bus service, enhancing local mobility for residents.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate a significant downward trend in crime rates, with crimes against persons down 51% and property crimes down 53% year-over-year.
The city is actively pursuing commercial and residential growth, with ongoing planning for future development.
Drawbacks
Cold Lake's overall crime rates are 214% higher than the national average, and violent crimes are 145% higher, based on estimated data.
The regional unemployment rate for Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake was 7.9% in June 2026, which is higher than the national average.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is experiencing chronic understaffing in its emergency room, leading to increased wait times and concerns about patient care as of August 2026.
The city has a low walk score of 28 out of 100, indicating it is a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands require a vehicle.
Limited bike infrastructure, with a bike score of 45, makes cycling challenging for daily errands.
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.
Cold Lake
#24Alberta, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$46,347
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.18%
Unemployment
7.90%
Livability
72
Business
65
Cincinnati
#54Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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