City Comparison
Milwaukee vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milwaukee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milwaukee
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Milwaukee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,451 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% 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 Milwaukee is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,149 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milwaukee runs warmer on average — a 48.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milwaukee comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milwaukee sees 29.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Milwaukee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milwaukee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milwaukee is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Cincinnati.
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 | Milwaukee | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milwaukee
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Thriving cultural scene featuring numerous summer festivals and world-class museums.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by major medical centers like Froedtert Hospital.
Shorter average commute times of around 22 minutes compared to most major US metropolitan areas.
Scenic lakefront access with miles of public parks, beaches, and recreational trails.
Drawbacks
Winters feature cold temperatures and notable snowfall averaging around 29.1 inches annually.
Property tax rates in Wisconsin can place a heavier tax burden on homeowners.
Public transit scores trail behind larger transit-heavy metros, making cars helpful for daily transit.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates requiring vigilant safety awareness.
State income tax brackets can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income earners.
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.
Milwaukee
#376Wisconsin, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
48.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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