City Comparison
Oshawa vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oshawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oshawa
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Oshawa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oshawa's average rent is
10% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Oshawa | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,410 | +10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,475 | $2,451 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 27% 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 Oshawa is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Oshawa | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oshawa runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oshawa comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oshawa sees 53 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oshawa | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Oshawa.
Oshawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oshawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oshawa | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Oshawa.
From a growth perspective, Oshawa 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 | Oshawa | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,383 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oshawa
Advantages
Significantly more affordable housing options compared to downtown Toronto and Peel Region.
Direct commuter access to Toronto via GO Transit rail and Highway 401.
Home to reputable post-secondary institutions including Ontario Tech University and Durham College.
Abundant green spaces, including extensive waterfront trails along Lake Ontario.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by Lakeridge Health.
Drawbacks
High commuter traffic congestion along Highway 401 during peak morning and evening hours.
Downtown core faces ongoing social challenges related to homelessness and support services.
Property taxes are relatively high compared to some neighboring municipalities.
Public transit outside of major arterial routes can require lengthy travel times.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight due to high regional demand.
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.
Oshawa
#41Ontario, Canada
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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