City Comparison
Mankato vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
18% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Mankato | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,410 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,451 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 22% 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 Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Mankato | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mankato runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mankato comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mankato sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Mankato scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mankato leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mankato | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Mankato.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Mankato | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
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.
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
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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