City Comparison
Roubaix vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Roubaix
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Roubaix is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Roubaix's average rent is
64% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Roubaix | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $508 | $1,410 | -64% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $27 | $120 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,105 | $2,451 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Roubaix is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Roubaix | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,335 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,599 idx | 76,699 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Roubaix runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Roubaix comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Roubaix sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Roubaix | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Roubaix has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati 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 | Roubaix | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Roubaix.
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 | Roubaix | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,300 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Roubaix
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to Lille and other major French cities.
Rich industrial heritage and cultural attractions, including the La Piscine museum and its connection to the Paris-Roubaix race.
Good public transport connectivity within the Lille metropolitan area, with metro, tram, and bus services.
Reinventing itself as a culinary destination with a growing food scene.
Housing market offers relatively lower prices per square meter compared to neighboring cities.
Drawbacks
Significant safety concerns and a high crime perception, with a safety index of 40.51.
Limited recent and specific data available for key metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, and precise rental costs.
High humidity and frequent cloudiness are characteristic of the local climate.
Limited international flight connectivity, with closest major airports being Brussels or Lille.
Public transportation services do not operate late into the night.
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.
Roubaix
#61Hauts-de-France, France
43.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$508
Avg Salary
$48,335
Cost Index
106
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.54%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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