Performance
Score Breakdown
Macau
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macau's average rent is
21% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Macau | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,117 | $1,410 | -21% |
| Groceries | $425 | $493 | -14% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $24 | $120 | -80% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,996 | $2,451 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 66% 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 Macau is estimated at
$35,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Macau | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $26,796 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,796 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $58,835 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Macau | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Macau.
Macau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Macau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Macau | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macau is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Macau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macau | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 723,188 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 1.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macau
Advantages
Macau has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, reaching 83.5 years in 2025.
The city boasts a strong economy with a high GDP per capita, driven by its prominent tourism and gaming industries.
Macau maintains a generally safe environment with low crime rates, contributing to a high quality of life.
The median monthly employment earnings in Macau were MOP 18,000 (approximately $2,233 USD) as of 2024, indicating a competitive salary landscape.
Residential rents in Macau saw a year-on-year increase in 2024, marking the first rise since 2019, indicating a strengthening rental market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Macau is very high, with a single person estimated to cost $4125 per month.
Housing costs are a significant burden, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at $1,069.
Macau is the second most densely populated region in the world, leading to space constraints.
The median age in Macau is 40.3 years, indicating a rapidly aging population.
While the economy is strong, there is an uneven distribution of wealth between gaming/financial and service workers.
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.
Macau
#1Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,117
Avg Salary
$26,796
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
1.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#62Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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