City Comparison
Centurion vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centurion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Centurion
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centurion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
51% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centurion's average rent is
61% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Centurion | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,410 | -61% |
| Groceries | $280 | $493 | -43% |
| Utilities | $130 | $178 | -27% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,451 | -51% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 79% 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 Centurion is estimated at
$13,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Centurion | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $16,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $13,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,286 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Centurion runs warmer on average — a 63.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Centurion comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Centurion sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Centurion | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Centurion.
Centurion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Centurion | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centurion is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Centurion 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 | Centurion | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 26.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centurion
Advantages
Strategically positioned between Pretoria and Johannesburg with excellent highway and Gautrain rapid rail access.
Home to world-class private medical facilities including Netcare Unitas and Mediclinic Centurion.
Abundant secure lifestyle estates offering high-level security and family-friendly amenities.
Thriving tech and corporate employment hub with extensive fiber-optic internet infrastructure.
Favorable climate with over 230 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency leading to significant peak-hour traffic congestion on major arterial routes.
Crime rates in traditional open suburbs require reliance on private security and armed response services.
National economic pressures and high structural unemployment impact broader regional economic mobility.
Load shedding and municipal electricity grid instability necessitate private backup power solutions like generators or solar.
Public mass transit options are limited outside of the Gautrain rapid rail network.
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.
Centurion
#4Gauteng, South Africa
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$16,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
26.80%
Livability
73
Business
68
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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