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Modena vs Cincinnati

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Emilia-Romagna, Italy
View Modena profile
#26 in Italy
67
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Cincinnati profile
#501 in USA
53
Overall Score
Modena scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Modena
Cincinnati
Livability
80
70
Affordability
72
97
Business
76
72
Growth
74
68

Cost of Living

Modena is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 32% lower than in Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Modena's average rent is 33% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricModenaCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$950$1,410-33%
Groceries
$380$493-23%
Utilities
$170$178-4%
Transport
$50$120-58%
Healthcare
$120$250-52%
Monthly Total
$1,670$2,451-32%
Cost Index
78103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 57% 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 Modena is estimated at $28,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
MetricModenaCincinnati
Average Salary
$34,000$79,000
Salary Needed
$28,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
43,590 idx76,699 idx
Household Income
$36,000$52,909

Climate Comparison

Modena runs warmer on average — a 59.7°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Modena comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Modena sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricModenaCincinnati
Avg Temp
59.70°F°F
Summer High
89.70°F°F
Winter Low
36.90°F°F
Rainfall
29.20 in in
Snowfall
0.70 in in
Sunny Days
268
Humidity
72.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other. Modena scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Modena leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricModenaCincinnati
Commute Time
22 min22 min
Transit Score
62.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
78.0/10049.0/100
Traffic Index
48.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Modena. 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.
MetricModenaCincinnati
Population
185,000314,915
Pop. Growth
0.50%0.70%
Median Age
45.033.2
Unemployment
4.80%3.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Modena
Advantages
World-renowned automotive and engineering hub ('Motor Valley') offering robust career opportunities.
Exceptional culinary heritage as the home of authentic balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and fine dining.
High level of public safety and a clean, well-maintained urban environment.
Extensive cycling infrastructure and high walkability within the historic center.
Strong local economy with lower unemployment than the national average.
Drawbacks
Padan plain geography can trap winter fog and industrial smog, leading to lower air quality days.
Summer temperatures can be quite hot and humid, contrasting with cold winter lows.
Rental housing in the historic center can be scarce and expensive.
Limited direct underground metro system, relying primarily on buses and surface transit.
High demand for skilled technical labor can make talent recruitment competitive for local startups.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Modena
#26
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
59.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
76
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#501
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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