City Comparison
North Providence vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Providence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Providence
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in North Providence.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Providence's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | North Providence | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,451 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 North Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | North Providence | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Providence runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Providence comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Providence sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Providence | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to North Providence.
North Providence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Providence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Providence | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of North Providence.
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 | North Providence | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,075 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Providence
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates offer a more accessible entry point than core Boston or downtown Providence markets per Zillow data.
Direct in-town presence of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital provides exceptional local healthcare access.
Strategic geographic location offers a quiet suburban atmosphere just minutes from downtown Providence.
Active local parks and recreation facilities, including Governor Notte Park, enhance outdoor lifestyle options.
Thriving local dining and retail corridors along Mineral Spring Avenue foster a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Rhode Island can present a notable financial burden for homeowners.
Car dependency is relatively high, as public transit options outside of primary bus lines are limited.
Regional commuter traffic during peak morning and evening hours on major arteries can cause delays.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate headquarters directly within town limits constrains local job diversity.
Inventory for single-family home purchases can be tight, driving competitive bidding scenarios.
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 Providence
#376Rhode Island, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
67
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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