City Comparison
Orono vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orono scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orono
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Orono.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orono's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Orono | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,451 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 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 Orono is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Orono | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,528 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,766 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $59,784 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Orono runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Orono comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orono sees 44.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orono | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 44.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Orono has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Orono scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orono leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orono | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Orono 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 | Orono | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,250 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 21.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orono
Advantages
Median property value in Orono is significantly lower than the national average, providing accessible homeownership options per Data USA 2024.
The town boasts an active New England village downtown with robust walkability and local dining per Census Bureau data.
Extensive recreational trail systems and river access offer exceptional outdoor activities year-round.
Proximity to the University of Maine provides rich cultural, athletic, and educational events for residents.
Crime rates remain well below national averages, ensuring a secure environment for families and students.
Drawbacks
The local poverty rate is elevated due to the large concentration of students with low reported individual incomes per Census Bureau profiles.
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall requires high heating costs and winter maintenance overhead.
Rental inventory can experience tight seasonal demand fluctuations tied to the academic calendar.
Job diversification outside of education and public services is relatively limited locally.
Public transit options beyond regional connections to Bangor are sparse for destinations outside the immediate area.
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.
Orono
#202Maine, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$61,528
Cost Index
95
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
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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