City Comparison
Manila vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manila scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manila
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manila is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manila's average rent is
61% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Manila | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,410 | -61% |
| Groceries | $250 | $493 | -49% |
| Utilities | $120 | $178 | -33% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $250 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $1,080 | $2,451 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 88% 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 Manila is estimated at
$8,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Manila | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,600 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 25,263 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manila runs warmer on average — a 82.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manila comes out ahead with 129 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manila sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manila | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 93.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 129 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Manila.
Manila 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 | Manila | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 45 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 82.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manila is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Manila 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 | Manila | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,846,513 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manila
Advantages
English proficiency is exceptionally high, making it one of the easiest Asian cities for English-speaking expats to navigate.
Thriving culinary and cafe culture offering diverse options from local street food to high-end international dining.
Lower overall cost of living compared to Western countries, stretching disposable income further.
Strategic hub in Southeast Asia with extensive flight connections across the region.
World-class private healthcare facilities offering advanced medical treatments at competitive prices.
Drawbacks
Severe traffic congestion heavily impacts daily commuting times and overall urban mobility.
Vulnerability to seasonal typhoons, monsoon flooding, and climate-related weather disruptions.
High density and rapid urbanization contribute to urban heat island effects and air quality challenges.
Wide income inequality is visible between affluent business districts and low-income residential areas.
Bureaucratic red tape can complicate administrative processes for business registration and residency.
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.
Manila
#6Luzon, Philippines
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
38
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
129/yr
Avg Temp
82.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
67
Business
72
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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