City Comparison
Edison vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edison
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Edison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edison's average rent is
56% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Edison | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,410 | +56% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $185 | $178 | +4% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,451 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison 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 Edison is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Edison | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,129 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edison runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edison comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edison sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edison | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Edison.
Edison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edison | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Edison.
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 | Edison | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,585 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
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.
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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