City Comparison
Glendale vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glendale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glendale
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Glendale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glendale's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Glendale | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,451 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% 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 Glendale is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Glendale | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,265 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $73,530 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glendale runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glendale comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glendale sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glendale | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Glendale.
Glendale 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 | Glendale | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Glendale.
From a growth perspective, Glendale 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 | Glendale | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 258,121 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glendale
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,530 per recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
World-class entertainment and sports venues like State Farm Stadium anchor a thriving local tourism economy.
Abundant sunshine averaging 322 sunny days per year supports an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to major higher education institutions like Midwestern University and Glendale Community College.
Active municipal investments in the Westgate Entertainment District drive ongoing commercial growth.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer heat with high temperatures regularly exceeding 105°F requires high seasonal energy expenditures.
High car dependency limits walkability and places heavy reliance on regional freeway networks.
Poverty rate of roughly 15.1% highlights economic disparities across certain neighborhoods.
Rising rental and housing costs have pressured affordability for lower-income households.
Ozone and particulate air quality can occasionally decline during peak summer stagnation periods.
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.
Glendale
#333Arizona, USA
60.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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