City Comparison
San Rafael vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Rafael scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Rafael
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Rafael is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Rafael's average rent is
75% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | San Rafael | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,410 | -75% |
| Groceries | $220 | $493 | -55% |
| Utilities | $65 | $178 | -63% |
| Transport | $45 | $120 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $250 | -68% |
| Monthly Total | $760 | $2,451 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 89% 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 Rafael is estimated at
$6,500 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | San Rafael | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,500 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 20,238 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $9,200 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Rafael runs warmer on average — a 63.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Rafael comes out ahead with 317 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Rafael sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Rafael | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 317 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Rafael scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Rafael leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Rafael | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of San Rafael.
From a growth perspective, San Rafael 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 Rafael | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Rafael
Advantages
Abundant sunshine averaging 317 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle
Proximity to world-class vineyards, wineries, and the scenic Atuel Canyon
Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to Buenos Aires
Strong community safety profile relative to major metropolitan centers in Argentina
Rich agricultural sector providing fresh local produce and robust culinary traditions
Drawbacks
Local salaries and median incomes reflect broader national economic constraints
Limited direct high-speed rail or major international flight connections
Seasonal fluctuations in tourism can cause temporary congestion in peak months
Inflationary pressures impact imported goods and specialized technical services
Arid climate with low annual rainfall requires water conservation management
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 Rafael
#42Mendoza, Argentina
73.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$8,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
317/yr
Avg Temp
63.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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