Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
16% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Burlington | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $1,410 | +16% |
| Groceries | $330 | $493 | -33% |
| Utilities | $111 | $178 | -38% |
| Transport | $72 | $120 | -40% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $250 | -72% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $2,451 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 37% 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 Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Burlington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Burlington.
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 | Burlington | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
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.
Burlington
#6Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
Business
70
Cincinnati
#50Ohio, USA
70.0 / 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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