City Comparison
West Allis vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Allis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Allis
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Allis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Allis's average rent is
11% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | West Allis | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,410 | -11% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,155 | $2,451 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 19% 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 West Allis is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | West Allis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,085 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Allis runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Allis comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Allis sees 28.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Allis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
West Allis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Allis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Allis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of West Allis.
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 | West Allis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Allis
Advantages
Median home prices remain notably more affordable than neighboring Milwaukee suburbs like Wauwatosa per regional real estate data.
Home to the historic West Allis Farmers Market, offering fresh local produce and community events.
Convenient central location in Milwaukee County with direct freeway access and robust public transit connections.
Strong presence of local parks, recreational facilities, and the renowned Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Active commercial corridors featuring a growing array of local breweries, cafes, and diverse dining establishments.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in certain neighborhoods may require significant maintenance or energy-efficiency updates.
Property taxes in Milwaukee County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Winters bring significant snowfall (28.2 inches annually) and cold temperatures requiring robust winter preparedness.
Certain major thoroughfares experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commuting hours.
Limited high-speed rail or heavy rail transit options directly within the municipal boundaries.
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.
West Allis
#351Wisconsin, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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