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Zacatecas vs Cincinnati

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Zacatecas, Mexico
View Zacatecas profile
#138 in Mexico
73
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Cincinnati profile
#501 in USA
53
Overall Score
Zacatecas scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Zacatecas
Cincinnati
Livability
70
70
Affordability
85
97
Business
62
72
Growth
65
68

Cost of Living

Zacatecas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 70% lower than in Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Zacatecas's average rent is 75% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricZacatecasCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,410-75%
Groceries
$200$493-59%
Utilities
$65$178-63%
Transport
$50$120-58%
Healthcare
$80$250-68%
Monthly Total
$745$2,451-70%
Cost Index
38103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 88% 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 Zacatecas is estimated at $8,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
MetricZacatecasCincinnati
Average Salary
$9,600$79,000
Salary Needed
$8,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
25,263 idx76,699 idx
Household Income
$11,000$52,909

Climate Comparison

Zacatecas runs warmer on average — a 61.4°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Zacatecas comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Zacatecas sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricZacatecasCincinnati
Avg Temp
61.40°F°F
Summer High
73.40°F°F
Winter Low
45.60°F°F
Rainfall
24.30 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
269
Humidity
55.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Zacatecas. Zacatecas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Zacatecas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricZacatecasCincinnati
Commute Time
25 min22 min
Transit Score
58.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10049.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.5x the population of Zacatecas. From a growth perspective, Zacatecas 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.
MetricZacatecasCincinnati
Population
148,500314,915
Pop. Growth
1.10%0.70%
Median Age
30.033.2
Unemployment
3.50%3.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Zacatecas
Advantages
Exceptional affordability with average monthly rents for a 1-bedroom apartment hovering around $350 USD.
Stunning UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Mild summer temperatures with an average high of 73.4°F per Open-Meteo climate data.
Vibrant local arts and museum scene, featuring world-class collections like the Pedro Coronel Museum.
Strategic location in north-central Mexico with accessible connectivity to major regional hubs.
Drawbacks
Cool winter lows averaging 45.6°F, with many historic homes lacking central heating.
Regional security concerns in the broader state of Zacatecas affecting travel perception.
Limited high-paying local job opportunities outside of mining, government, and education.
Hilly, steep terrain and narrow cobblestone streets present mobility challenges for pedestrians.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger metropolitan medical centers.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Zacatecas
#138
Zacatecas, Mexico
72.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
38
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
61.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#501
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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