City Comparison
Durban vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Durban scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Durban
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Durban is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Durban's average rent is
54% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Durban | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,410 | -54% |
| Groceries | $280 | $493 | -43% |
| Utilities | $110 | $178 | -38% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,285 | $2,451 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 82% 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 Durban is estimated at
$11,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Durban | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $16,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Durban runs warmer on average — a 71°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Durban comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Durban sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Durban | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Durban.
Durban scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Durban leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Durban | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Durban is the larger city
— approximately 13.3x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Durban 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 | Durban | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 29.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Durban
Advantages
Subtropical climate with 240 sunny days per year and warm ocean temperatures
Housing and rental costs are notably lower than in Cape Town or Johannesburg
Rich cultural heritage and world-renowned culinary scene, including authentic local cuisine
Strategic coastal location anchored by Africa's busiest shipping and logistics port
Abundant outdoor recreational activities along the Golden Mile and surrounding coastal reserves
Drawbacks
High regional unemployment rate mirroring broader South African economic hurdles
Crime rates require constant security vigilance and gated or secure residential planning
Occasional municipal infrastructure challenges including water and power supply disruptions
Traffic congestion during peak hours along primary highway corridors
High summer humidity can be intense for unacclimatized newcomers
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.
Durban
#20KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
71.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
29.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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