Thames
Waikato, New Zealand
#1 in New Zealand
72
Overall Score
VS
Cincinnati
Ohio, USA
#72 in USA
70
Overall Score
Thames scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Thames
Cincinnati
Livability
74
70
Affordability
65
97
Business
68
72
Growth
70
68

Cost of Living

Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 9% higher compared to Thames. Housing costs are a major driver: Thames's average rent is 17% higher than Cincinnati's.
MetricThamesCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$1,656$1,410+17%
Groceries
$350$493-29%
Utilities
$325$178+83%
Transport
$90$120-25%
Healthcare
$250$2500%
Monthly Total
$2,671$2,451+9%
Cost Index
95103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 28% 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 Thames is estimated at $55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
MetricThamesCincinnati
Average Salary
$56,880$79,000
Salary Needed
$55,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
59,874 idx76,699 idx
Household Income
$41,200$52,909

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricThamesCincinnati
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Thames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati. Thames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Thames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricThamesCincinnati
Commute Time
min22 min
Transit Score
55.0/1040.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1049.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city . 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.
MetricThamesCincinnati
Population
7,230314,915
Pop. Growth
%0.70%
Median Age
54.933.2
Unemployment
4.50%3.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Thames
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major New Zealand cities.
Rich gold mining history and a vibrant arts community.
Relatively safe environment with a lower crime rate than the national average.
Scenic location at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Moderate car dependency and decent transit/walkability scores.
Drawbacks
Rising unemployment rate, reaching a decade-high in the Thames-Coromandel District.
High average house prices despite recent falls, making homeownership challenging.
Higher median age compared to the national average, potentially indicating an aging population.
Economic conditions can be challenging, with some industries declining.
Crime rate in the wider district has seen an increase.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Thames
#1
Waikato, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,656
Avg Salary
$56,880
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#72
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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