City Comparison
Hot Springs vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hot Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hot Springs
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hot Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hot Springs's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Hot Springs | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,410 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,451 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Hot Springs is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Hot Springs | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $47,760 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hot Springs runs warmer on average — a 64.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hot Springs comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hot Springs sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hot Springs | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Hot Springs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hot Springs leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hot Springs | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hot Springs.
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 | Hot Springs | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,979 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.18% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 45.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hot Springs
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living sit roughly 7-8% below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at around 21 minutes, minimizing daily transit friction.
Direct access to Hot Springs National Park and pristine lakes like Lake Hamilton provides unmatched outdoor recreation.
A thriving local healthcare sector anchored by major regional medical facilities ensures robust access to care.
Rich cultural history, vibrant arts community, and unique architecture create a distinct and engaging small-city environment.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in the city proper are higher than the national average, registering around 20.5% per Census figures.
The local median household income of $47,760 trails well behind national benchmarks.
Heavy tourism seasons introduce periodic traffic congestion and crowding around downtown commercial districts.
Public transportation options are sparse, making reliable personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
Property crime rates reflect the transient nature of a major tourist destination.
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.
Hot Springs
#426Arkansas, USA
56.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
64.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
75
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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