City Comparison
Dunedin vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dunedin
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dunedin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dunedin's average rent is
29% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Dunedin | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $997 | $1,410 | -29% |
| Groceries | $382 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $152 | $178 | -15% |
| Transport | $71 | $120 | -41% |
| Healthcare | $45 | $250 | -82% |
| Monthly Total | $1,647 | $2,451 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 49% 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 Dunedin is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Dunedin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,428 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,947 idx | 76,699 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dunedin runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dunedin comes out ahead with 203 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dunedin sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dunedin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 203 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Dunedin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dunedin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dunedin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Dunedin.
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 | Dunedin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,331 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dunedin
Advantages
Dunedin's cost of living is approximately 31% lower than in Auckland, making it a more affordable major city in New Zealand.
The city boasts a strong educational sector, anchored by the University of Otago, New Zealand's oldest university, fostering a vibrant academic and research environment.
Dunedin offers exceptional access to natural beauty and wildlife, particularly on the Otago Peninsula, home to rare penguins and albatrosses.
The average commute time in Dunedin is relatively short, estimated at around 20 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The median weekly rent for all properties in Dunedin City was $520 NZD (approximately $292 USD) as of April 2026, indicating reasonable housing costs.
Drawbacks
The average annual salary in Dunedin, at $40,428 USD, is lower than the national average for New Zealand.
While public transport exists, the city's transit infrastructure may not be as extensive as larger international cities, potentially leading to higher car dependency for some residents.
Specific, up-to-date data for certain economic metrics like job growth rate and new business growth rate for Dunedin were not readily available from highly authoritative sources.
The city's geographic isolation on the South Island of New Zealand can mean fewer direct international travel options compared to Auckland or Christchurch.
The cost of living, while lower than Auckland, is still 35% above the global median, indicating it's not an exceptionally cheap place to live globally.
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.
Dunedin
#51Otago, New Zealand
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$997
Avg Salary
$40,428
Cost Index
135
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
203/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dunedin and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator