City Comparison
Markham vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Markham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Markham
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Markham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Markham's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Markham | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,451 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 Markham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Markham | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Markham runs warmer on average — a 47°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Markham comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Markham sees 52.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Markham | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Markham.
Markham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Markham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Markham | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Markham is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Markham 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 | Markham | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 338,503 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Markham
Advantages
Recognized as Canada's high-tech capital with over 1,000 technology companies providing robust employment opportunities.
Consistently ranks among the safest large municipalities in Canada with low violent crime rates.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in world-class dining, festivals, and community programs.
Access to top-tier public education systems and high-performing schools across York Region.
Extensive parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Canadian average.
High degree of car dependency in suburban neighborhoods leading to notable commuter traffic on major arteries.
Competitive rental market with elevated monthly costs for apartments and townhouses.
Property tax rates and municipal fees reflect the suburban infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cold winter climate featuring significant annual snowfall requires regular winter maintenance.
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.
Markham
#45Ontario, Canada
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
47.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
84
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Markham and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator