City Comparison
Irvine vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Irvine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
117% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Irvine | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $1,410 | +117% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $2,451 | +66% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Irvine 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 Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Irvine | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Irvine runs warmer on average — a 64.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Irvine comes out ahead with 324 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Irvine sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Irvine | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Irvine.
Irvine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Irvine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Irvine is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Irvine 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 | Irvine | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
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.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
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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