City Comparison
Elsmere vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elsmere scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elsmere
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elsmere is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Elsmere | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,451 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 15% 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 Elsmere is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Elsmere | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,367 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elsmere runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elsmere comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elsmere sees 13.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elsmere | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Elsmere scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elsmere leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elsmere | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 46.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
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 | Elsmere | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,150 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elsmere
Advantages
Delaware's lack of state sales tax significantly reduces everyday retail and dining expenses per state tax guidelines.
Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Wilmington with easy access to major employers and cultural sites.
A strong community-focused suburban feel with active local parks and neighborhood events.
Proximity to world-class healthcare facilities like ChristianaCare systems in New Castle County.
Median home prices and rental rates remain competitive compared to nearby Philadelphia and northern suburbs.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion can be heavy along primary commercial corridors like Kirkwood Highway during peak commuting hours.
Housing inventory can be limited, leading to competitive conditions for prospective buyers.
Property taxes in New Castle County can add to the overall cost of homeownership.
Limited public rail transit directly within town borders, making car ownership nearly essential.
Older housing stock may require regular maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Elsmere
#379Delaware, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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