City Comparison
Seward vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,410 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $493 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $178 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,451 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 11% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seward runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seward comes out ahead with 138 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 455.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seward leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seward | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Seward 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 | Seward | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seward
Advantages
Seward boasts a high safety rating, ranking fifth for safety and fifth for lowest violent crime rate in Alaska as of 2024.
The median household income in Seward was $85,481 in 2024, significantly above the national average.
Employment in Seward grew by 5.77% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a robust job market.
Seward offers a high degree of walkability in its downtown and harbor areas, making it easy to explore on foot.
The city is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Drawbacks
Seward's overall crime rate is 2% higher than the national average, with property crimes being more prevalent.
The cost of living in Alaska, and by extension Seward, can be higher than the national average due to transportation costs for goods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not available in Seward, requiring reliance on taxis or other transportation methods.
Seward has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents (6.73%) compared to the national average (14%), suggesting less diversity in that aspect.
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years, which is slightly lower than the US median of 38.9 years, indicating a slightly younger population.
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.
Seward
#23Alaska, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$70,600
Cost Index
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
138/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Seward and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator