City Comparison
Mecca vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mecca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mecca
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mecca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
53% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mecca's average rent is
58% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Mecca | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $587 | $1,410 | -58% |
| Groceries | $164 | $493 | -67% |
| Utilities | $139 | $178 | -22% |
| Transport | $6 | $120 | -95% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,146 | $2,451 | -53% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 52% 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 Mecca is estimated at
$30,156 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Mecca | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,156 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 76,699 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mecca runs warmer on average — a 86.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mecca comes out ahead with 340 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mecca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mecca | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 86.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 340 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Mecca.
Mecca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mecca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mecca | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mecca is the larger city
— approximately 7.2x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Mecca 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 | Mecca | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,252,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.74% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mecca
Advantages
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, attracting millions of pilgrims annually, fostering a unique spiritual and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The city is undergoing significant infrastructure development, driven by Vision 2030, to accommodate growing tourism and population.
Housing costs in Mecca are relatively affordable compared to other major Saudi cities, with lower rent prices for apartments.
The city has a strong focus on security, particularly during pilgrimage seasons, contributing to a generally safe environment for residents and visitors.
Mecca's economy is diversifying beyond religious tourism, with growth in construction, real estate, and retail sectors.
Drawbacks
Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca, limiting its accessibility to a specific religious group.
While improving, public transportation and walkability can be challenging, making car dependency common.
The city experiences significant population surges during Hajj and Ramadan, which can strain resources and infrastructure.
Specific, up-to-date crime statistics for Mecca are not readily available, making a precise safety assessment difficult.
The cost of living, particularly for dining and transportation, can be higher than the Saudi Arabian average.
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.
Mecca
#4Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
67.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$587
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
340/yr
Avg Temp
86.80°F
Pop. Growth
3.74%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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