City Comparison
Lexington vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lexington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lexington
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Lexington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lexington's average rent is
10% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Lexington | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,552 | $1,410 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,482 | $2,451 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 21% 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 Lexington is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Lexington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,882 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $69,479 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lexington runs warmer on average — a 56.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lexington comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lexington sees 21 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lexington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Lexington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lexington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lexington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lexington is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati 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 | Lexington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 329,751 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.34% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lexington
Advantages
Cost of living runs approximately 7% below the national average per regional economic reports.
Over 51% of residents over 25 hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting an exceptionally educated workforce.
Short average commute times of roughly 20 minutes facilitate convenient daily travel.
Thriving cultural and recreational amenities include the historic Keeneland Race Course and extensive park systems.
Major regional medical hub anchored by world-class facilities like UK HealthCare.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited outside of core urban and campus routes, increasing reliance on personal vehicles.
Increasing housing demand has driven steady rental and real estate price appreciation over recent years.
Local manufacturing employment sectors have experienced minor year-over-year contractions.
Poverty rates hover near 14.9%, indicating economic disparities within certain urban pockets.
summers can feature high humidity levels typical of the broader Kentucky climate region.
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.
Lexington
#318Kentucky, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,552
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.34%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
71
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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