City Comparison
Des Plaines vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Plaines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Plaines's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,595 | $2,451 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 6% 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 Des Plaines is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,154 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Des Plaines runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Des Plaines comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Des Plaines sees 28.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Des Plaines.
Des Plaines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Plaines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Des Plaines.
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 | Des Plaines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,653 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Plaines
Advantages
Exceptional commuter access via the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line providing direct service to downtown Chicago
Immediate proximity to O'Hare International Airport, making air travel and logistics highly convenient
Robust parks and recreation system featuring the scenic Des Plaines River Trail and numerous community facilities
Strong local safety profile with violent and property crime rates consistently below the national average
Vibrant and diverse dining and entertainment scene centered around the revitalized downtown district
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of the greater Chicago metropolitan region
Competitive housing market with rising purchase prices limiting options for first-time buyers
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major thoroughfares and interstate ramps
Cold and snowy winter conditions requiring dedicated seasonal maintenance and snow removal
Aircraft noise in certain neighborhoods due to proximity to O'Hare International Airport flight paths
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.
Des Plaines
#264Illinois, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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