City Comparison
Evansville vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Evansville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evansville
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Evansville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evansville's average rent is
33% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Evansville | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,410 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $2,451 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 32% 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 Evansville is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Evansville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Evansville runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Evansville comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evansville sees 14.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evansville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Evansville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evansville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Evansville.
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 | Evansville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,738 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evansville
Advantages
Median home prices in Evansville are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, well below the national average, per U.S. Census Bureau statistics.
The city features robust healthcare networks anchored by major regional employers like Deaconess Health System and Ascension St. Vincent.
Wesselman Woods provides access to one of the largest urban old-growth forests in the United States right within city limits.
A thriving arts and culture scene is highlighted by the historic Haynie's Corner Arts District and active community festivals.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited outside of core routes, resulting in a high reliance on personal vehicles per local transit studies.
Property crime rates in certain urban core neighborhoods exceed national medians per annual FBI crime data reports.
Summer humidity can be quite high, occasionally driving up seasonal cooling utility expenses.
Average household incomes trail national medians, reflecting the regional cost-of-living adjustment.
Limited direct commercial flight destinations from Evansville Regional Airport require travelers to connect through major hubs.
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.
Evansville
#391Indiana, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
71
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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