City Comparison
Mülheim an der Ruhr vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mülheim an der Ruhr scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mülheim an der Ruhr
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mülheim an der Ruhr is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mülheim an der Ruhr's average rent is
33% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Mülheim an der Ruhr | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,410 | -33% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $240 | $178 | +35% |
| Transport | $55 | $120 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,451 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Mülheim an der Ruhr is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Mülheim an der Ruhr | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $49,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mülheim an der Ruhr runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mülheim an der Ruhr comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mülheim an der Ruhr sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mülheim an der Ruhr | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Mülheim an der Ruhr.
Mülheim an der Ruhr scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mülheim an der Ruhr leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mülheim an der Ruhr | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 74.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Mülheim an der Ruhr.
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 | Mülheim an der Ruhr | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,341 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mülheim an der Ruhr
Advantages
Strategic location in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region with excellent transit connections to Düsseldorf and Essen
Extensive green spaces and parks, including the Mülheimer Stadtgarten and scenic Ruhr River waterfronts
Headquarters of major global corporations like ALDI Süd, offering strong local employment opportunities
Significantly more affordable housing and cost of living compared to nearby major hubs like Munich or Frankfurt
High safety standards and family-friendly neighborhoods such as Speldorf, Broich, and Saarn
Drawbacks
Local job market can be competitive, requiring proficiency in German for many corporate and administrative roles
Property purchase and rental prices have risen notably over recent years in line with regional trends
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arterial roads connecting to the A40 autobahn
Weather patterns feature a high number of overcast and rainy days throughout the autumn and winter months
Industrial heritage legacy means certain urban districts require ongoing environmental and infrastructural regeneration
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.
Mülheim an der Ruhr
#44North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
74.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
80
Business
72
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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