City Comparison
St. Paul vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Paul
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Paul is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | St. Paul | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,459 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $410 | $493 | -17% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $2,451 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 7% 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 St. Paul is estimated at
$97,211 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | St. Paul | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,394 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $97,211 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,899 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $73,394 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Paul runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Paul comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Paul sees 32.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Paul | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
St. Paul scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Paul leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Paul | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 43.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
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 | St. Paul | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 306,684 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Paul
Advantages
Median home value of $294,500 sits approximately 11% below the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Extensive park system featuring Como Park, more than 100 public parks, and extensive Mississippi River shoreline access.
Thriving higher education presence with esteemed institutions like Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas.
Rich cultural infrastructure, including the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and world-class museums.
Robust public transit connectivity via the METRO Green Line light rail linking directly to downtown Minneapolis.
Drawbacks
Rigorous winter climate brings heavy seasonal snowfalls and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures.
Overall cost of living tracks roughly 4.8% above the national average driven by regional housing and tax structures.
State and local income tax burdens rank higher than the national median.
Property crime rates in specific commercial zones exceed national suburban medians.
Poverty rates in select urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state averages.
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.
St. Paul
#523Minnesota, USA
50.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,459
Avg Salary
$73,394
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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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