City Comparison
Terre Haute vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Terre Haute scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Terre Haute
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Terre Haute's average rent is
40% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,410 | -40% |
| Groceries | $350 | $493 | -29% |
| Utilities | $165 | $178 | -7% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,685 | $2,451 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% 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 Terre Haute is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Terre Haute runs warmer on average — a 55.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Terre Haute sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
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 | Terre Haute | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Terre Haute.
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 | Terre Haute | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,380 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
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.
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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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