City Comparison
Rustenburg vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rustenburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rustenburg
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rustenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
46% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rustenburg's average rent is
54% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,410 | -54% |
| Groceries | $300 | $493 | -39% |
| Utilities | $130 | $178 | -27% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,320 | $2,451 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 98% 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 Rustenburg is estimated at
$1,100 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,450 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $1,100 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,222 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rustenburg runs warmer on average — a 65.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rustenburg comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rustenburg sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 68.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Rustenburg.
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 | Rustenburg | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rustenburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Rustenburg 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 | Rustenburg | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 549,575 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 33.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rustenburg
Advantages
Strategic economic hub anchored by world-class platinum mining operations providing robust employment opportunities.
Scenic natural setting at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountains with proximity to Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City.
More affordable cost of living and housing options compared to major metropolitan centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Strong presence of private healthcare facilities, including Netcare and Life Healthcare hospitals.
Abundant outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife reserves nearby.
Drawbacks
High local unemployment rate mirroring broader national economic challenges in South Africa.
Heavy reliance on the mining sector makes the local economy vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations.
Traffic congestion during peak shift-change hours near major industrial and mining corridors.
Property crime and security concerns require residents to invest in private security measures.
Public transport infrastructure remains limited, resulting in high car and minibus taxi dependency.
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.
Rustenburg
#26North West, South Africa
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$1,450
Cost Index
45
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
65.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
33.50%
Livability
63
Business
58
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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