City Comparison
Rio de Janeiro vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rio de Janeiro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rio de Janeiro
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rio de Janeiro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rio de Janeiro's average rent is
61% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Rio de Janeiro | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,410 | -61% |
| Groceries | $250 | $493 | -49% |
| Utilities | $90 | $178 | -49% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,070 | $2,451 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 87% 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 Rio de Janeiro is estimated at
$9,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Rio de Janeiro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $10,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $9,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 25,000 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $11,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rio de Janeiro runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rio de Janeiro comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rio de Janeiro sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rio de Janeiro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rio de Janeiro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rio de Janeiro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 45 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rio de Janeiro is the larger city
— approximately 21.3x 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 | Rio de Janeiro | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,720,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 8.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rio de Janeiro
Advantages
World-class natural amenities including iconic beaches, lagoons, and the Tijuca National Park rainforest.
Rich cultural heritage encompassing samba, bossa nova, world-renowned festivals, and dynamic gastronomy.
Major economic hub for Brazil's oil and gas, maritime, and corporate service industries.
Expanding digital nomad and remote work community supported by co-working spaces and coastal cafes.
Pleasant year-round coastal climate with consistent temperatures averaging around 75.1°F.
Drawbacks
Significant income inequality and localized security challenges affecting certain neighborhoods.
Heavy traffic congestion during rush hours across key transit corridors.
High cost of housing and living expenses in prime coastal districts like Ipanema and Leblon.
Bureaucratic complexities in housing rentals, business registration, and administrative processes.
Vulnerability to heavy rainfall events and localized urban flooding during storm 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.
Rio de Janeiro
#179Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$10,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
8.20%
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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