City Comparison
Norfolk vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norfolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norfolk
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Norfolk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norfolk's average rent is
22% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Norfolk | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,410 | -22% |
| Groceries | $414 | $493 | -16% |
| Utilities | $184 | $178 | +3% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,968 | $2,451 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 54% 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 Norfolk is estimated at
$23,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Norfolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,980 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $23,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,109 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $58,884 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Norfolk runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Norfolk comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Norfolk sees 15.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norfolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Norfolk has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norfolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Norfolk.
From a growth perspective, Norfolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norfolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,054 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norfolk
Advantages
Norfolk boasts a strong sense of community, fostering pride and unity among residents.
The city offers a variety of outdoor activities, including tubing, trails, and a whitewater park.
Crime rates in Norfolk are significantly lower than the national average, contributing to a safe living environment. [cite: 12, 14, 23, 29, 35 from previous search]
The cost of living, particularly housing, is more affordable compared to the national average. [cite: 6 from previous search]
Commute times are notably shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience. [cite: 2, 19 from previous search, 35 from previous search]
Drawbacks
Compared to larger cities, Norfolk has limited entertainment options.
Wages have not fully kept pace with inflation, impacting family budgets.
Despite overall affordability, finding truly affordable housing can still be a challenge.
Some residents perceive a 'snobby' community mindset or a lack of motivation for change.
The city experienced an overall employment decline rate between 2023 and 2024. [cite: 2, 3 from previous search]
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.
Norfolk
#31Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$35,980
Cost Index
92
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
2.70%
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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