City Comparison
Atlanta vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% higher compared to Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
33% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,410 | +33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,451 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% 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 Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Atlanta | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Atlanta runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Atlanta comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Atlanta.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Cincinnati.
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 | Atlanta | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
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.
Atlanta
#44Georgia, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#82Ohio, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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