City Comparison
Edinburgh vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edinburgh scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edinburgh
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Edinburgh | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,410 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,440 | $2,451 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% 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 Edinburgh is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $49,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edinburgh runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edinburgh comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edinburgh sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edinburgh leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edinburgh is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Edinburgh 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 | Edinburgh | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 526,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edinburgh
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top UK cities for overall quality of life and economic resilience per recent regional indexes
Exceptional public transportation network featuring award-winning bus services and expanding tram connectivity
World-class cultural calendar anchored by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and historic architectural landmarks
Immediate access to stunning natural landscapes including Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat, and coastal paths
Highly educated workforce with nearly half holding degree-level qualifications supported by top-tier universities
Drawbacks
High rental and property purchase costs driven by severe housing shortages and high tourist demand
Competitive property buying market often requiring offers well above the official home report valuation
Frequent grey skies and damp weather conditions throughout the autumn and winter months
Significant tourist congestion in the Old Town and central districts during the peak summer festival season
Narrow historic streets and strict conservation rules limit private car use and residential parking expansion
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.
Edinburgh
#8Scotland, UK
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
81
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
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