City Comparison
Denver vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Denver
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Denver's average rent is
40% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Denver | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $1,410 | +40% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,865 | $2,451 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 3% 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 Denver is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Denver | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $81,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,415 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $94,718 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Denver runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Denver comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Denver sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Denver | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Denver.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Denver | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Denver 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 | Denver | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 740,613 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
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.
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Denver and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator