City Comparison
Exeter vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Exeter | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,451 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Exeter | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Exeter runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Exeter comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Exeter sees 37.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| 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 Exeter.
Exeter scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Exeter leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Exeter | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Exeter is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Exeter has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Exeter
Advantages
Exceptional local school district anchored by renowned public schools and private institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy.
Extremely low crime rates and high overall community safety profile compared to national averages.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connecting the town directly to Boston and Portland.
Picturesque, historic downtown featuring vibrant local dining, shopping, and Squamscott River waterfront access.
Proximity to the New Hampshire seacoast and White Mountains, offering world-class outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher-than-average housing costs and competitive real estate market conditions.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting and errands outside the walkable core.
High local property tax burdens typical of many New Hampshire municipalities.
Limited rental housing inventory, making it challenging for younger or lower-income residents to find apartments.
Cold, snowy winter weather requiring high household heating expenditures.
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.
Exeter
#267New Hampshire, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
74
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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