City Comparison
Towson vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Towson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Towson
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Towson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Towson's average rent is
31% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Towson | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,410 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,810 | $2,451 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 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 Towson is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Towson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $101,320 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Towson runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Towson comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Towson sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Towson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Towson.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Towson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Towson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Towson.
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 | Towson | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,257 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.33% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Towson
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $101,320, reflecting strong local economic vitality per Census data.
Home to top-tier healthcare systems including GBMC and UM St. Joseph Medical Center.
Vibrant educational presence anchored by Towson University and Goucher College.
Abundant retail and dining choices centered around the prominent Towson Town Center.
Proximity to scenic outdoor recreational areas like Lake Roland Park and regional trail networks.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is intense, with median property values reaching approximately $469,000.
Overall cost of living is notably higher than the national baseline, driven primarily by housing premiums.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown commercial core.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like York Road during peak hours can lengthen commutes.
Rental options can be tight and expensive due to high demand from students and young professionals.
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.
Towson
#325Maryland, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
37.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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