City Comparison
Oklahoma City vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oklahoma City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oklahoma City
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oklahoma City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oklahoma City's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,410 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,451 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% 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 Oklahoma City is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,455 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $65,300 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oklahoma City runs warmer on average — a 63°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oklahoma City comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oklahoma City sees 5.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Oklahoma City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oklahoma City is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Oklahoma City 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 | Oklahoma City | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 694,800 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oklahoma City
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data, offering exceptional housing affordability.
A thriving arts scene anchored by the Paseo Arts District and world-class museums like the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
An expanding and diversified economy supported by aerospace, energy, healthcare, and logistics sectors.
Abundant recreational opportunities including Lake Hefner, Riversport OKC, and extensive urban park developments.
Consistently shorter commute times compared to the national average, reducing daily transit stress.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles with limited public transit coverage outside core urban districts.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tornadoes and extreme seasonal temperature swings.
Property tax rates and localized utility costs can fluctuate based on regional infrastructure demands.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional agricultural and industrial dust during specific seasons.
Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure remains underdeveloped in several suburban corridors.
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.
Oklahoma City
#118Oklahoma, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
77
Business
74
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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