City Comparison
Valdez vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
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 Valdez.
| Metric | Valdez | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,410 | -4% |
| Groceries | $520 | $493 | +5% |
| Utilities | $220 | $178 | +24% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,451 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Valdez | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdez runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdez comes out ahead with 139 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 419.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdez | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 115.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 419.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 139 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdez leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdez | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
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 | Valdez | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdez
Advantages
Average home values remain relatively stable around $351,711 per recent Zillow market data.
Residents enjoy zero state income tax and benefit from annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend payouts.
Exceptional proximity to world-class glaciers, sportfishing, and backcountry winter recreation.
High-wage career opportunities centered around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline marine terminal and energy sector.
Extremely low crime rates and a strong, supportive community-oriented atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by freight and shipping expenses inherent to remote coastal Alaska geography.
Challenging rental market inventory with a significant portion of housing utilized for seasonal or corporate needs.
Severe winter weather conditions featuring heavy snowfall averaging over 400 inches annually.
Limited local availability for specialized medical care, often requiring transit to Anchorage.
Geographic isolation with limited road access routes out of the community during heavy winter storms.
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.
Valdez
#399Alaska, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
139/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
76
Business
67
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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