City Comparison
Los Lunas vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Los Lunas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Lunas
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Los Lunas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Lunas's average rent is
47% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,071 | $1,410 | +47% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $162 | $178 | -9% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,083 | $2,451 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 43% 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 Los Lunas is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,211 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,571 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $62,330 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Los Lunas runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Los Lunas comes out ahead with 309 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Los Lunas sees 6.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 309 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Los Lunas.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Lunas | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Los Lunas.
From a growth perspective, Los Lunas 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 | Los Lunas | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,194 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.02% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Lunas
Advantages
Los Lunas has a low cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 86.3, making it 13.7% more affordable than the national average.
The village is one of the fastest-growing communities in New Mexico, indicating strong economic and population growth momentum.
Major employers like Meta (Facebook) Data Center and Walmart Distribution Center drive job creation and economic development.
A new 15-bed acute care hospital is slated to open in Los Lunas in fall 2026, significantly improving local healthcare access.
Public transportation via Rio Metro buses and the Rail Runner Express is available and fare-free, connecting residents to Albuquerque and other areas.
Drawbacks
Los Lunas crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, with overall crime 65% higher and violent crime 63% higher.
The village is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
Despite economic growth, Los Lunas has acknowledged a lag in developing affordable housing options.
The median household income of $62,330 is lower than the national average of $80,734.
Traffic congestion on main routes, particularly NM 6, can adversely affect commuter travel and emergency response times.
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.
Los Lunas
#479New Mexico, USA
54.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,071
Avg Salary
$45,211
Cost Index
86
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
3.02%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
65
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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