City Comparison
Passaic vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Passaic.
Housing costs are a major driver: Passaic's average rent is
51% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Passaic | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $1,410 | +51% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,451 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 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 Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Passaic | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Passaic runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Passaic comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Passaic.
Passaic scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Passaic leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Passaic | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Passaic.
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 | Passaic | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Passaic
Advantages
Average rent of $2,125 offers a more accessible entry point into the New York metro area compared to nearby towns
Exceptional transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus lines offering direct routes to New York City
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant culinary scene, local festivals, and active commercial districts
High urban walkability with dense neighborhood amenities and local parks situated along the Passaic River
Strategic geographic location within Passaic County providing rapid access to major highways like Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway
Drawbacks
Median household income of $55,371 lags behind the broader New Jersey state and county averages
High population density creates persistent challenges regarding street parking, traffic congestion, and limited open space
Local poverty rate of approximately 22.9% presents ongoing socio-economic hurdles for municipal services
Aged housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization investments for property owners
Proximity to major industrial corridors contributes to local environmental and air quality management challenges
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.
Passaic
#560New Jersey, USA
47.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,125
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.35%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
71
Business
67
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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