City Comparison
Hastings vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hastings scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hastings
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hastings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hastings's average rent is
20% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Hastings | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,122 | $1,410 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,072 | $2,451 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 27% 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 Hastings is estimated at
$44,880 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Hastings | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,554 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $44,880 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,711 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $64,048 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hastings runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hastings comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hastings sees 15.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hastings | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hastings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hastings | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hastings.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hastings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hastings | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,008 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hastings
Advantages
Cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, with housing expenses 27% lower than the national average.
Average commute time is significantly shorter than the national average, around 13.8 to 16.8 minutes.
Violent crime rate is substantially lower than the national average.
Hastings is a regional healthcare center with Mary Lanning Healthcare providing comprehensive services.
Strong agricultural and manufacturing base with established industries like ethanol production and irrigation equipment manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Crime rate is 10% higher than the national average overall, though violent crime is lower.
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating high car dependency.
A notable percentage of families live below the poverty line (10.2% to 14.3%).
The median household income is lower than the national average.
Climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High' with specific risks like hail and strong winds.
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.
Hastings
#245Nebraska, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,122
Avg Salary
$57,554
Cost Index
85
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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