City Comparison
Tempe vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tempe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Tempe | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $440 | $493 | -11% |
| Utilities | $195 | $178 | +10% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,451 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 4% 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 Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Tempe | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 76.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tempe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tempe | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Tempe.
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 | Tempe | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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