City Comparison
Edina vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edina
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Edina.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edina's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Edina | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,451 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edina offers 4% higher 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 Edina is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Edina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,600 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $128,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edina runs warmer on average — a 47.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edina comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edina sees 30.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Edina scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edina leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Edina.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Edina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,285 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edina
Advantages
Edina Public Schools consistently rank among the top school districts in the state of Minnesota per Niche and state testing data.
Crime rates in Edina are significantly below the national average, making it one of the safest municipalities in the Midwest per FBI crime reports.
The city features over 1,500 acres of parkland and public spaces, including the premier Centennial Lakes Park per the Edina Parks and Recreation Department.
Strategic location offers a commute of under 20 minutes to downtown Minneapolis and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Home to iconic regional shopping and dining destinations like 50th & France and Southdale Center per local municipal economic reports.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices and rental rates are considerably higher than the national and state averages per Zillow housing market data.
Property tax rates in Edina reflect high municipal service levels, adding to the overall cost of homeownership per Hennepin County tax records.
The local housing market is highly competitive with limited inventory for first-time homebuyers per recent real estate market summaries.
High reliance on automobiles for daily transit outside of immediate commercial nodes per regional transportation studies.
Strict municipal zoning and architectural codes can increase renovation and building costs for homeowners per Edina city planning documents.
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.
Edina
#238Minnesota, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
47.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
91
Business
78
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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