City Comparison
Lacey vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Lacey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Lacey | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,451 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Lacey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lacey runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lacey sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Lacey.
Lacey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lacey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lacey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Lacey 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 | Lacey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lacey
Advantages
Proximity to state capital Olympia and Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides a stable regional economy per Washington ESD.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including local parks, lakes, and proximity to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with highly rated local schools and active community programs.
More affordable housing options compared to major urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma.
High percentage of sunny days (239 days) relative to Western Washington's typical overcast reputation.
Drawbacks
Growing traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5 during peak commuting hours per WSDOT data.
Increasing housing costs and rental rates driven by regional population influx per Zillow market reports.
Limited public transit rail options, maintaining high car dependency across the municipality.
Cool and damp winter season with frequent rain despite sunny summer months.
Competitive job market for specific corporate and tech roles outside of government and healthcare sectors.
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.
Lacey
#228Washington, USA
63.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
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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