City Comparison
Fairmont vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fairmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairmont
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairmont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairmont's average rent is
40% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Fairmont | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,410 | -40% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,515 | $2,451 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 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 Fairmont is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Fairmont | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fairmont runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fairmont comes out ahead with 215 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fairmont sees 30.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fairmont | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 215 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Fairmont | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fairmont.
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 | Fairmont | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,450 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fairmont
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Fairmont are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Zillow data.
Proximity to Valley Falls State Park offers residents world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
Fairmont State University provides local cultural events, continuing education, and a boost to the regional economy.
The local cost of living index sits well below the national average, easing financial pressures for families.
Growing tech initiatives at the nearby I-79 Technology Park provide expanding professional employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries are lower compared to national metropolitan benchmarks per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily errands.
Job growth rates in traditional sectors trail behind fast-growing metropolitan technology hubs.
Winters bring significant snowfall (averaging over 30 inches annually), requiring winterized commuting preparation.
Limited high-end retail and entertainment options within city limits necessitate trips to larger neighboring cities.
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.
Fairmont
#343West Virginia, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
215/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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