City Comparison
Hagen vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hagen
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hagen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hagen's average rent is
40% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Hagen | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,410 | -40% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $220 | $178 | +24% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,745 | $2,451 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 39% 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 Hagen is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Hagen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $46,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hagen runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hagen comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hagen sees 17.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hagen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hagen.
Hagen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hagen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hagen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Hagen.
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 | Hagen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,529 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 10.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hagen
Advantages
Average rent and home purchase prices remain significantly lower than the North Rhine-Westphalia state average per IT.NRW data.
Extensive access to green spaces, forests, and rivers, with over 40% of the city area consisting of woods and parks.
Major regional rail hub providing direct, fast commuter connections to Dortmund, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.
Home to the FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany's largest state-run distance-learning university.
Rich industrial heritage paired with cultural landmarks like the Karl Ernst Osthaus Museum and the Open-Air Museum.
Drawbacks
Local unemployment rates historically run higher than the national German average per Bundesagentur für Arbeit figures.
Structural economic transition from heavy manufacturing has created ongoing fiscal challenges for the municipality.
Topography featuring steep hills and valleys can complicate local traffic flow and walkability in outlying residential zones.
Commercial retail centers face competitive pressure from larger nearby shopping hubs in Dortmund and Bochum.
Some central urban districts experience higher-than-average municipal maintenance needs and localized social stress.
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.
Hagen
#93North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
10.40%
Livability
71
Business
64
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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