City Comparison
Apolda vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apolda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apolda
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apolda is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apolda's average rent is
54% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Apolda | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,410 | -54% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $220 | $178 | +24% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,540 | $2,451 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 47% 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 Apolda is estimated at
$36,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Apolda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,333 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apolda runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apolda comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apolda sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apolda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Apolda.
Apolda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Apolda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apolda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Apolda.
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 | Apolda | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,845 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apolda
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to nearby Weimar, Jena, and major German cities
Excellent regional rail connectivity providing direct commutes to Erfurt, Jena, and Leipzig
Rich cultural heritage featuring traditional bell founding, textile history, and local festivals
Abundant green spaces, parks, and direct access to the scenic Ilm valley cycling and hiking routes
Family-friendly environment with robust local schools, sports clubs, and a secure community atmosphere
Drawbacks
Limited local high-paying job opportunities, requiring many residents to commute to neighboring cities
Diminished nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger university cities like Jena or Erfurt
Demographic aging trends common to rural and semi-urban Thuringia
Moderate reliance on personal vehicles for accessing certain outlying commercial zones
Slower pace of commercial retail development in the historic downtown core
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.
Apolda
#32Thuringia, Germany
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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