City Comparison
Rouen vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rouen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rouen
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rouen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rouen's average rent is
55% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Rouen | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $630 | $1,410 | -55% |
| Groceries | $497 | $493 | +1% |
| Utilities | $200 | $178 | +12% |
| Transport | $48 | $120 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $250 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $1,450 | $2,451 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 64% 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 Rouen is estimated at
$21,372 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Rouen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,400 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $21,372 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,217 idx | 76,699 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rouen runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rouen comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rouen sees 4.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rouen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rouen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 37.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Rouen.
From a growth perspective, Rouen 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 | Rouen | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,553 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.09% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rouen
Advantages
Rouen boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage, including the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
The city offers a comprehensive public transport network, with free services on Saturdays.
The cost of living in Rouen is generally lower than the national average in France.
Rouen has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous dining options and entertainment.
Property prices for both apartments and houses have shown consistent growth over the past five years.
Drawbacks
The median salary in Rouen is lower than the national average for France.
Specific safety scores for 2026 are not available, with crime indices showing a mixed situation.
Traffic congestion can be a concern, with an average level of 37.1% in 2025.
While public transport is good, specific walkability and transit scores for 2026 are not readily available.
Reliable, up-to-date data for some specific metrics like median age and detailed job growth rates for Rouen are limited.
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.
Rouen
#13Normandie, France
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$28,400
Cost Index
83
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.09%
Unemployment
7.54%
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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