City Comparison
Toms River vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Toms River
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toms River's average rent is
99% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Toms River | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,410 | +99% |
| Groceries | $460 | $493 | -7% |
| Utilities | $190 | $178 | +7% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,840 | $2,451 | +57% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 9% 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 Toms River is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Toms River | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,609 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $99,547 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Toms River runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Toms River comes out ahead with 243 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Toms River sees 13.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Toms River | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | |
| 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 Toms River.
Toms River 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 | Toms River | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Toms River.
From a growth perspective, Toms River 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 | Toms River | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,621 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toms River
Advantages
Median household income is strong at approximately $99,547, outperforming national averages per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to the Jersey Shore provides unmatched access to beaches, boating, and coastal recreation.
High homeownership rate of over 81% reflects a stable, family-oriented community fabric.
Crime rates remain lower than the national average, ensuring safe neighborhoods across the township.
Extensive local parks, recreational programs, and community events enhance everyday lifestyle quality.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes are significantly higher than the national median.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles leads to seasonal traffic congestion along primary travel routes.
Average monthly rent prices exceed $2,800, creating affordability hurdles for prospective renters.
Summer tourism influx causes temporary crowding on local roadways and beaches.
Vulnerability to severe coastal weather events requires ongoing infrastructure and insurance considerations.
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.
Toms River
#357New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
4.30%
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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