City Comparison
Milan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Milan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Milan's average rent is
38% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Milan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $210 | $178 | +18% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,935 | $2,451 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 44% 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 Milan is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Milan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $38,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milan runs warmer on average — a 59°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milan comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milan sees 6.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 61.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Milan.
Milan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 88.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milan is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati 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 | Milan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,371,498 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milan
Advantages
Milan serves as Italy's primary economic engine, offering the highest concentration of corporate headquarters and career opportunities in the country.
The public transportation network is extensive, reliable, and affordable, reducing the need for personal vehicle ownership.
The city is a global epicentre for fashion, design, art, and culinary excellence, providing a vibrant cultural calendar year-round.
Proximity to the Italian Lakes and the Alps allows for easy weekend escapes into nature and outdoor recreation.
Prestigious universities and research institutions attract a highly educated, international, and youthful demographic.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and rental prices are among the highest in Italy, creating significant affordability hurdles for newcomers.
Air quality in the Po Valley basin frequently suffers from high pollution levels and smog during winter months.
The fast-paced lifestyle and competitive corporate culture can lead to high stress levels among residents.
Bureaucratic hurdles in administrative processes can slow down official paperwork and residency registrations.
Tourist congestion in central historic districts can make daily navigation crowded during peak seasons.
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.
Milan
#133Lombardy, Italy
51.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
59.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
76
Business
85
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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