City Comparison
Middlebury vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Middlebury scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Middlebury
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Middlebury.
Housing costs are a major driver: Middlebury's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Middlebury | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,620 | $2,451 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 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 Middlebury is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Middlebury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $82,450 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Middlebury runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Middlebury comes out ahead with 222 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Middlebury sees 45.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Middlebury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 45.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Middlebury has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Middlebury scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Middlebury leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Middlebury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Middlebury has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Middlebury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,112 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Middlebury
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average per Vermont state data.
Direct Amtrak rail service via the Ethan Allen Express connects Middlebury straight to New York City.
Access to top-tier cultural events, lectures, and athletic facilities through Middlebury College.
Exceptional local school district and proximity to premier outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, and cycling.
Strong local economy anchored by stable institutional employers like Middlebury College and Porter Medical Center.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is severely constrained, leading to high purchase prices and competitive rental markets.
Long, harsh New England winters drive up seasonal home heating and utility costs.
Property taxes in Vermont are among the highest in the nation, impacting homeowners.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles for regional travel.
Higher-than-average cost of living for groceries and goods compared to the broader national baseline.
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.
Middlebury
#130Vermont, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
84
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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