Performance
Score Breakdown
Davenport
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Davenport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Davenport's average rent is
36% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Davenport | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $902 | $1,410 | -36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $260 | $178 | +46% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,882 | $2,451 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 51% 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 Davenport is estimated at
$67,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Davenport | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,673 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,498 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $66,200 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Davenport | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Davenport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati 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 | Davenport | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 44.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Davenport.
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 | Davenport | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,913 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Davenport
Advantages
The cost of living in Davenport is 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Davenport boasts a shorter average commute time of 19.4 minutes compared to the national average, saving residents time.
The city offers award-winning healthcare systems and has 11 hospitals, ensuring good access to medical care.
Davenport provides extensive recreational opportunities with over 50 parks and 20 miles of trails for various outdoor activities.
The housing market is affordable, with a median home sale price of $190,000 in June 2026, which is 46% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Davenport's crime rates are 168% higher than the Iowa average, indicating significant safety concerns.
Population growth in Davenport has been relatively flat since 1980, hovering around 100,000 residents.
The city has limited public transit options and a low walkability score of 44, leading to a medium to high car dependency for most errands.
Despite some growing sectors, overall job growth in the Quad Cities metro area has been mixed, with recent job losses in some months of 2026.
Davenport experiences cold and snowy winters, with average low temperatures around 15°F in January.
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.
Davenport
#64Iowa, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$902
Avg Salary
$38,673
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
44.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
Cincinnati
#49Ohio, 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Davenport and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator