City Comparison
Renton vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Renton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Renton's average rent is
49% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Renton | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,410 | +49% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $190 | $178 | +7% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $2,451 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Renton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Renton runs warmer on average — a 54.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Renton comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Renton sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Renton.
Renton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Renton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Renton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Renton.
From a growth perspective, Renton 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 | Renton | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Renton
Advantages
Strategic Puget Sound location with convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Sea-Tac International Airport
Stunning natural amenities including Lake Washington waterfront access and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Diverse and inclusive community with a rich cultural fabric and active local neighborhoods
Strong local economy anchored by aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and technology
Vibrant downtown City Centre undergoing continuous revitalization and new dining developments
Drawbacks
Elevated cost of living and housing prices significantly higher than the U.S. national average
Significant traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Interstate 405 during peak hours
Higher-than-average property crime rates typical of growing urban and suburban transition zones
Frequent Pacific Northwest overcast weather and high annual rainfall totals
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income buyers
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.
Renton
#521Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
54.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
72
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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