City Comparison
Lafayette vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lafayette
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lafayette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lafayette's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Lafayette | 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 | 89 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 23% 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 Lafayette is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Lafayette | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,539 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lafayette runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lafayette comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lafayette sees 22.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lafayette | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lafayette has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Lafayette scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lafayette leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lafayette | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lafayette.
From a growth perspective, Lafayette 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 | Lafayette | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,323 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lafayette
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the national US average per Zillow and HUD data.
Robust local manufacturing and engineering job sectors anchored by Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Caterpillar.
Proximity to Purdue University brings cultural events, Big Ten athletics, and continuous economic innovation.
Manageable average commute times under 20 minutes compared to major metropolitan congestion.
Extensive parks and recreation network including Columbian Park and Wabash River trail systems.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited rapid transit options outside of local bus routes.
Sub-freezing winter temperatures and seasonal snowfall require ongoing municipal snow removal management.
Wage growth has occasionally lagged behind sudden spikes in housing demand near the university border.
Local entertainment and dining options are more limited compared to nearby Indianapolis or Chicago.
Property tax rates in certain expanding school districts can offset some overall cost of living savings.
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.
Lafayette
#156Indiana, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
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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