City Comparison
Elizabeth vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elizabeth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elizabeth
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Elizabeth.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elizabeth's average rent is
36% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,916 | $1,410 | +36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,816 | $2,451 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% 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 Elizabeth is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $66,555 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elizabeth runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elizabeth comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elizabeth sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elizabeth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Elizabeth.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth 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 | Elizabeth | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,675 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elizabeth
Advantages
Median household income grew by 4.2% to $66,555 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Exceptional public transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus networks linking directly to New York City.
Strategic economic location adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport and major port logistics hubs.
Vibrant multicultural community featuring diverse global dining, local markets, and cultural festivals.
Proximity to major higher education institutions, including Kean University located nearby in Union County.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate stands at approximately 15.7%, presenting ongoing socioeconomic challenges for a portion of residents.
High regional property taxes and housing costs typical of the New York metropolitan commuter zone.
Persistent urban traffic congestion along major freight corridors and highway intersections like Routes 1 and 9.
Limited single-family home inventory, leading to a highly competitive housing and rental market.
Industrial density in certain sectors contributes to localized environmental and air quality concerns.
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.
Elizabeth
#468New Jersey, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,916
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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