City Comparison
Hamden vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamden
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Hamden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamden's average rent is
49% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Hamden | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,410 | +49% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $185 | $178 | +4% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,090 | $2,451 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 9% 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 Hamden is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Hamden | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $98,306 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hamden runs warmer on average — a 51.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hamden comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hamden sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamden | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hamden.
Hamden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamden | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Hamden.
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 | Hamden | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,045 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamden
Advantages
Median household income in Hamden stands at a strong $98,306, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, highlighted by the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park.
Convenient access to major employment centers in New Haven and academic institutions like Quinnipiac University.
Diverse residential neighborhoods offering everything from historic character to modern suburban developments.
Active municipal programming and community events hosted regularly at Town Center Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes run higher than the national median.
Certain transit routes rely heavily on car travel, leading to peak-hour congestion along major arteries like Route 10.
Rental inventory can experience tight competition due to proximity to regional universities.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 23 inches annually, requiring active municipal snow removal.
Property prices have faced upward pressure, making entry-level homeownership more competitive.
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.
Hamden
#208Connecticut, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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