City Comparison
Erlangen vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Erlangen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Erlangen
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Erlangen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Erlangen | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,410 | -4% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $220 | $178 | +24% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,451 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% 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 Erlangen is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Erlangen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,407 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Erlangen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Erlangen comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Erlangen sees 8.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Erlangen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Erlangen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Erlangen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Erlangen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Erlangen.
From a growth perspective, Erlangen 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 | Erlangen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,084 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Erlangen
Advantages
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Exceptional cycling infrastructure and high overall walkability scores
Thriving high-tech job market led by Siemens Healthineers and major research facilities
Very low crime rates and high overall community safety profile
Vibrant cultural scene combining traditional Franconian heritage with a diverse student population
Drawbacks
Competitive and expensive housing market with high rental costs
Cost of living significantly exceeds the German national average
Limited availability of parking in the historic city center
Cooler, overcast winter months with limited direct sunlight
High demand for real estate creates significant pressure for newcomers seeking apartments
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.
Erlangen
#20Bavaria, Germany
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
82
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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