City Comparison
San Bernardino vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Bernardino
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% higher compared to San Bernardino.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Bernardino's average rent is
28% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,803 | $1,410 | +28% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,803 | $2,451 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 20% 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 San Bernardino is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,210 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $67,415 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Bernardino runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Bernardino comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 44.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to San Bernardino.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Bernardino | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of San Bernardino.
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 | San Bernardino | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,044 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.01% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
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.
San Bernardino
#166California, USA
37.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
Cincinnati
#82Ohio, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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