City Comparison
Salina vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salina
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salina's average rent is
35% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Salina | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $920 | $1,410 | -35% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,451 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salina is estimated at
$36,792 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Salina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,745 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,792 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,177 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $61,783 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salina runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 16.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
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 | Salina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Salina.
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 | Salina | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,307 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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.
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
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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