City Comparison
Johnston vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johnston
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Johnston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johnston's average rent is
47% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Johnston | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,072 | $1,410 | +47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,022 | $2,451 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 9% 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 Johnston is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Johnston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $91,866 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johnston runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johnston comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johnston sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johnston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Johnston.
Johnston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johnston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Johnston.
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 | Johnston | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,626 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johnston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $91,866 per census data, outperforming national averages.
Convenient location in Providence County providing quick access to downtown Providence and major highways.
Quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhoods such as Winsor Hill and Graniteville.
Active local municipal governance with dedicated community parks and recreational programming.
Close proximity to top-tier healthcare systems and medical centers in Rhode Island.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices exceed $2,000 per month, reflecting broader regional housing pressures.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town boundaries.
Property tax rates and real estate costs have risen steadily in line with statewide trends.
Varying winter weather conditions require reliable snow removal and vehicle preparation.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders, requiring trips to Providence.
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.
Johnston
#253Rhode Island, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,072
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
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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