City Comparison
Fishers vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Fishers | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $2,451 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 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 Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Fishers | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fishers runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fishers comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fishers sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| 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 Fishers.
Fishers 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 | Fishers | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Fishers.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fishers | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment 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.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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