City Comparison
Ketchikan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ketchikan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ketchikan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ketchikan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,389 | $1,410 | -1% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $2,451 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% 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 Ketchikan is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,419 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $85,275 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ketchikan runs warmer on average — a 45°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ketchikan comes out ahead with 128 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ketchikan sees 143.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 164.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 143.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 128 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ketchikan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Ketchikan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ketchikan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ketchikan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,080 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ketchikan
Advantages
Median home value is approximately $352,400, offering attainable homeownership compared to major West Coast metro areas per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional access to world-class sportfishing, hiking, and pristine wilderness right at your doorstep.
No state personal income tax and no statewide sales tax, helping offset high consumer goods costs.
Short average commute times of around 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring minimal daily traffic congestion.
Strong, close-knit community spirit with a vibrant local culture rooted in rich Alaska Native heritage.
Drawbacks
Extremely high annual rainfall of over 160 inches per year, requiring a tolerance for wet weather.
Geographic isolation means all goods and travel must rely on costly air or marine transportation.
Limited housing inventory restricts options and can drive up rental and purchase competition.
Seasonal economic swings driven by tourism can create employment and housing volatility.
Lack of road connection to the mainland means traveling off-island requires taking a ferry or airplane.
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.
Ketchikan
#362Alaska, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,389
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
128/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
76
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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