City Comparison
Kihei vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kihei
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Kihei.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kihei's average rent is
56% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Kihei | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,410 | +56% |
| Groceries | $550 | $493 | +12% |
| Utilities | $250 | $178 | +40% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $250 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,450 | $2,451 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% 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 Kihei is estimated at
$68,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Kihei | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,576 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kihei runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kihei comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kihei sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kihei | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kihei leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kihei | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Kihei.
From a growth perspective, Kihei 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 | Kihei | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,423 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kihei
Advantages
Enjoyment of 321 sunny days per year with very low annual rainfall of 14.3 inches.
Immediate access to world-class beaches like Kamaole Beach Parks for swimming and snorkeling.
Thriving local culinary and outdoor dining scene stretching along South Kihei Road.
Proximity to the Maui Research and Technology Park supporting local tech and innovation.
Strong sense of community centered around ocean recreation and environmental conservation.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices well above the U.S. national average.
Heavy reliance on automobiles with limited public transit frequency across the island.
High electricity and utility rates driven by Hawaii's geographic isolation.
Persistent traffic congestion along South Kihei Road during peak morning and evening hours.
Vulnerability to property crime and vehicle break-ins around high-traffic tourist beaches.
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.
Kihei
#574Hawaii, USA
46.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
65
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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