City Comparison
Saguenay vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Saguenay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saguenay
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saguenay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Saguenay's average rent is
33% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Saguenay | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,410 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $493 | -23% |
| Utilities | $150 | $178 | -16% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $2,451 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% 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 Saguenay is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Saguenay | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saguenay runs warmer on average — a 38.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saguenay comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saguenay sees 82 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saguenay | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -0.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 82.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Saguenay scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saguenay leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saguenay | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Saguenay.
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 | Saguenay | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,700 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saguenay
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the Canadian national average, offering high housing affordability.
Exceptional access to pristine natural environments, including the Saguenay Fjord and world-class winter recreation.
Very low crime rates and high community safety across all major boroughs.
Stable regional economy anchored by key industrial employers, healthcare, and higher education.
Short average commute times that reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan centers.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures require robust preparation and higher heating costs.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban routes, making car ownership practically essential.
Limited job market diversification outside of traditional industrial sectors, healthcare, and public administration.
Smaller local market can mean fewer specialized retail and entertainment options compared to Montreal or Quebec City.
Bilingualism is less prevalent in daily commerce compared to larger cosmopolitan hubs, requiring working proficiency in French.
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.
Saguenay
#18Quebec, Canada
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
38.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
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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