Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% higher compared to Olympia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
28% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Olympia | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,410 | +28% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $216 | $178 | +21% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,806 | $2,451 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 1% 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 Olympia is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Olympia | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $80,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,796 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Olympia.
From a growth perspective, Olympia 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 | Olympia | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,869 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.70% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia's projected population growth rate of 1.7% for 2026 indicates a growing and dynamic community.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, along with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities due to its natural surroundings.
Utility costs in Olympia are approximately 10% lower than the national average, providing some financial relief to residents.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is relatively short compared to many larger metropolitan areas.
Olympia's median household income of $81,302 in 2024 is higher than the national median, supporting a comfortable lifestyle for many residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Olympia is 13% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses.
Average rent for apartments in Olympia increased by 6% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating rising housing costs.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher, approximately 24% above the national average.
Transportation expenses are 28% higher than the national average, impacting daily budgets for commuters.
The unemployment rate in Olympia was 4.8% in April 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Olympia
#14Washington, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
Cincinnati
#54Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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