Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Cincinnati.
| Metric | Surrey | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $1,410 | +4% |
| Groceries | $287 | $493 | -42% |
| Utilities | $122 | $178 | -31% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $2,451 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 56% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Surrey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
Surrey 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 | Surrey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surrey is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Surrey 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 | Surrey | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
Cincinnati
#49Ohio, USA
70.0 / 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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