City Comparison
Manchester vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Manchester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
10% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Manchester | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,410 | +10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,451 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 10% 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 Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Manchester | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manchester runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manchester comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Manchester.
Manchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Manchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 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
— approximately 0.2x the population of Manchester.
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 | Manchester | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
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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