City Comparison
Lakeville vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakeville
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lakeville's average rent is
71% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Lakeville | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,405 | $1,410 | +71% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $185 | $178 | +4% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,375 | $2,451 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 1% 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 Lakeville is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Lakeville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $139,041 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakeville runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakeville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakeville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Lakeville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lakeville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Lakeville.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville 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 | Lakeville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,270 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
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.
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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