City Comparison
Seattle vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
60% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Seattle | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,410 | +60% |
| Groceries | $520 | $493 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $250 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,451 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 24% higher 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 Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Seattle | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seattle runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Seattle.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seattle | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Seattle 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 | Seattle | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home 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.
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
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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