City Comparison
Stratford vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stratford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stratford
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Stratford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stratford's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Stratford | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $460 | $493 | -7% |
| Utilities | $190 | $178 | +7% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,451 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Stratford is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Stratford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Stratford runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Stratford comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Stratford sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stratford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Stratford.
Stratford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stratford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stratford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Stratford.
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 | Stratford | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,305 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stratford
Advantages
Direct access to Long Island Sound with scenic waterfront parks like Short Beach and Long Beach.
Convenient commuter access via the Stratford Metro-North train station along the New Haven Line.
Strong local employment anchored by major aerospace and manufacturing employers like Sikorsky Aircraft.
Rich colonial history and distinct neighborhood character, including the scenic Lordship peninsula.
More attainable housing options compared to immediate neighboring towns in western Fairfield County.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes remain notably higher than the national U.S. average.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate downtown and transit areas.
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional flooding along low-lying shoreline areas.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-95 and Route 1.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders compared to larger cities.
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.
Stratford
#462Connecticut, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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