City Comparison
West Haven vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in West Haven.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Haven's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | West Haven | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $195 | $178 | +10% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,451 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 14% 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 West Haven is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | West Haven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Haven runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Haven comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Haven sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to West Haven.
West Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Haven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of West Haven.
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 | West Haven | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Haven
Advantages
Boasts the longest publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, featuring 3.5 miles of beaches and boardwalk.
Convenient commuter access via the West Haven Metro-North train station providing direct service to New York City and New Haven.
Hosts the University of New Haven, bringing vibrant academic energy, diverse demographics, and cultural events to the city.
More attainable home purchase prices and rental rates compared to neighboring coastal towns in Fairfield County.
Home to the major VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, offering top-tier local medical services and employment.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates are relatively high, reflecting municipal budget pressures typical of Connecticut cities.
Certain areas experience heavy commuter traffic congestion along Route 1 and approaches to Interstate 95 during peak hours.
Coastal flood zones require residents in specific neighborhoods to secure mandatory flood insurance.
Aging public school infrastructure requires ongoing capital investment and modernization efforts.
Pockets of the city experience commercial vacancy rates that local economic development initiatives are actively working to revitalize.
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.
West Haven
#461Connecticut, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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