City Comparison
North Bethesda vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Bethesda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Bethesda
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in North Bethesda.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Bethesda's average rent is
70% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,410 | +70% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,451 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Bethesda offers 4% higher 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 North Bethesda is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,063 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $129,092 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Bethesda runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Bethesda comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Bethesda sees 15.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to North Bethesda.
North Bethesda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Bethesda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of North Bethesda.
From a growth perspective, North Bethesda 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 | North Bethesda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,806 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Bethesda
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $129,092 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data
Direct access to Washington, D.C. via multiple WMATA Red Line Metro stations
High concentration of residents with graduate or professional degrees exceeding 40%
Vibrant mixed-use urban centers like Pike & Rose offering premier dining, retail, and arts
Crime rates well below national averages supporting a secure community environment
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run roughly 28% to 32% higher than the national average
Average monthly apartment rent exceeds $2,400, creating affordability hurdles for lower-income renters
Traffic congestion along Rockville Pike and major commuter corridors during peak hours
High property tax and real estate acquisition costs relative to the national baseline
Competitive rental and housing markets with limited inventory for low-to-moderate-income families
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.
North Bethesda
#385Maryland, USA
59.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
78
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between North Bethesda and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator