City Comparison
Eau Claire vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eau Claire scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Eau Claire
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eau Claire is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eau Claire's average rent is
22% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,410 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $215 | $178 | +21% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $2,451 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 18% 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 Eau Claire is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $67,395 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Eau Claire runs warmer on average — a 46°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Eau Claire comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Eau Claire sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Eau Claire.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Eau Claire leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Eau Claire.
From a growth perspective, Eau Claire is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,134 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.92% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Eau Claire
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Strong and diversified job market with key sectors including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Access to quality healthcare services provided by major health systems like Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Medical Center.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including annual music festivals and a historic downtown.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with parks and riverfront trails.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as most errands require a vehicle.
Public transit options are limited.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the U.S. average.
Racial disparities exist in arrests for low-level offenses by the police department.
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.
Eau Claire
#51Wisconsin, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
46.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.92%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#82Ohio, USA
58.4 / 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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