City Comparison
Parma vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parma
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Parma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parma's average rent is
11% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Parma | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,410 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,451 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 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 Parma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Parma | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parma runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Parma comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Parma sees 39.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parma | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Parma 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 | Parma | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Parma.
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 | Parma | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,880 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parma
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Proximity to downtown Cleveland offers easy access to major employment hubs, cultural institutions, and professional sports.
University Hospitals Parma Medical Center provides top-tier local healthcare and emergency services within city limits.
Extensive municipal park system featuring James Day Park offers robust recreational facilities and community programming.
Crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of comparable size, ensuring a secure suburban environment.
Drawbacks
High property tax rates in Cuyahoga County can offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for those who prefer not to drive.
Aging housing stock often requires routine modernization and maintenance updates for older properties.
Cold, snowy winters with significant annual snowfall totals require regular winter weather preparedness.
Job growth within immediate city limits is moderate, requiring many residents to commute to surrounding areas for specialized careers.
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.
Parma
#164Ohio, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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