City Comparison
Hartford vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hartford
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Hartford | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,410 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $2,451 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 Hartford is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Hartford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $46,411 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hartford runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hartford comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hartford sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hartford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Hartford.
Hartford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hartford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hartford.
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 | Hartford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,981 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.28% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hartford
Advantages
Average rent in Hartford runs roughly 22% lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Home to world-class cultural institutions like the Mark Twain House and Wadsworth Atheneum.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by major teaching hospitals like Hartford Hospital.
Strategically located along the I-84 and I-91 corridors with rapid bus transit connectivity via CTfastrak.
Expansive urban green spaces including Bushnell Park and the Riverfront Recapture trail system.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate and median household income lag significantly behind statewide averages per U.S. Census data.
Certain neighborhoods experience elevated property and violent crime rates requiring targeted policing.
State and local property tax burdens can be high for property owners within city limits.
New England utility costs can place a heavy seasonal financial burden on household budgets.
Public school performance metrics within the urban district face ongoing systemic challenges.
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.
Hartford
#532Connecticut, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.28%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
67
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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