City Comparison
Suffolk vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Suffolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Suffolk
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Suffolk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Suffolk's average rent is
20% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Suffolk | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,697 | $1,410 | +20% |
| Groceries | $360 | $493 | -27% |
| Utilities | $325 | $178 | +83% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,532 | $2,451 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Suffolk is estimated at
$67,872 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Suffolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,468 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,872 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,457 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $92,666 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Suffolk runs warmer on average — a 60.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Suffolk comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Suffolk sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Suffolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Suffolk.
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 | Suffolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 15.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Suffolk.
From a growth perspective, Suffolk 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 | Suffolk | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,699 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.64% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Suffolk
Advantages
Suffolk's overall cost of living is 2.1% below the national average, making it relatively affordable.
The city boasts a high livability score of 77/100, indicating a good quality of life.
Employment in Suffolk grew by 1.3% over the past year, with a projected future job growth of 35.2% over ten years.
Suffolk offers abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Healthcare facilities like Sentara Obici Hospital have received 'Patient Safety Excellence Awards' (2026, 2025, 2024), indicating high-quality care.
Drawbacks
Suffolk is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 15, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The average commute time of 30.2 minutes is longer than the national average, and traffic can be an issue.
Property crime rates are 9% higher than the national average, despite an overall crime rate that is slightly lower.
Utilities in Suffolk are about 50% higher than the Virginia city average, primarily driven by sewer costs.
Public transportation options are limited, contributing to car dependency and potentially longer commutes.
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.
Suffolk
#268Virginia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,697
Avg Salary
$48,468
Cost Index
98
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
15.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
60.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.64%
Unemployment
4.00%
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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