City Comparison
Oberhausen vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oberhausen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oberhausen
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oberhausen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
46% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oberhausen's average rent is
54% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,410 | -54% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,320 | $2,451 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 61 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 96% 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 Oberhausen is estimated at
$2,400 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,400 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 5,738 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oberhausen runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oberhausen comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oberhausen sees 8.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Oberhausen.
Oberhausen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oberhausen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Oberhausen.
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 | Oberhausen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 213,178 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.14% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oberhausen
Advantages
Rental prices are significantly lower than major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt, averaging around $620 for a 1-bedroom central apartment per Rewire Abroad 2026 data.
The city features extensive green spaces and recreational landmarks, including the famous Gasometer Oberhausen and the Centr.O leisure complex.
Strategic location within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region provides exceptional rail and autobahn connectivity to neighboring economic hubs like Düsseldorf and Essen.
Comprehensive public healthcare infrastructure is accessible through well-equipped local clinics and a dense network of medical professionals.
Low overall crime index and high community safety standards make it a secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
The local labor market continues to navigate post-industrial economic restructuring challenges, resulting in unemployment rates higher than the national German average per Destatis 2024-2025 reports.
Heavy reliance on regional manufacturing and retail means economic growth can be vulnerable to broader macroeconomic downturns in Europe.
Certain quarters experience urban renewal pressures and require ongoing municipal investments to combat localized structural deprivation.
Atmospheric and industrial heritage legacies require continuous environmental monitoring, though air quality has improved significantly.
Limited presence of high-tech venture capital startups compared to dedicated German tech capitals like Berlin or Munich.
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.
Oberhausen
#5North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
71.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$3,500
Cost Index
61
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
6.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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