City Comparison
Manhattan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manhattan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manhattan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manhattan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manhattan's average rent is
22% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Manhattan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,410 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,451 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 27% 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 Manhattan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Manhattan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,053 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $62,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manhattan runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manhattan comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manhattan sees 15.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manhattan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manhattan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Manhattan 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 | Manhattan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Manhattan.
From a growth perspective, Manhattan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Manhattan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,100 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manhattan
Advantages
Cost of living sits approximately 5% below the national average per recent cost-of-living indices.
Exceptional public safety ratings with crime rates well below state and national medians.
Proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake offers vast outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking opportunities.
Vibrant arts, cultural events, and Division I Big 12 collegiate athletics anchored by K-State.
High educational attainment levels and strong local public school performance.
Drawbacks
Rental market can experience tight inventories and higher prices near the university campus.
Local economy is heavily reliant on the university and military base, creating vulnerability to state/federal budget shifts.
Limited commercial flight options out of Manhattan Regional Airport require driving to Kansas City for major travel.
Humid continental climate brings notably cold winter extremes and occasional severe spring weather.
Public transit options are somewhat limited outside of core fixed-route bus services.
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.
Manhattan
#170Kansas, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
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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