City Comparison
Laurel vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laurel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Laurel | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,410 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,451 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Laurel | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Laurel runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Laurel comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Laurel.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laurel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Laurel 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 | Laurel | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laurel
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly lower than the national average per recent Zillow and Census data.
Rich historic character featuring one of the largest collections of 18th and 19th-century homes in Delaware.
Proximity to natural attractions like Trap Pond State Park and Broad Creek for outdoor recreation.
Convenient driving distance to Delmarva beaches and major employment hubs in Maryland and Delaware.
Tight-knit, family-oriented community atmosphere with active local civic events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town limits.
Local job market within town is somewhat restricted, requiring commutes for higher-paying professional roles.
Limited local dining and nightlife options directly inside the immediate historic district.
Sussex County property development pressures are beginning to impact local rural aesthetics and traffic on US-13.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling outside of town to neighboring cities.
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.
Laurel
#327Delaware, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
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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