Performance
Score Breakdown
Dalian
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dalian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% lower compared to Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dalian's average rent is
71% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Dalian | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $403 | $1,410 | -71% |
| Groceries | $239 | $493 | -52% |
| Utilities | $65 | $178 | -63% |
| Transport | $98 | $120 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $805 | $2,451 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 83% 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 Dalian is estimated at
$12,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Dalian | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,224 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,896 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $7,548 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dalian | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Dalian.
Dalian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dalian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dalian | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 70.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 66.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dalian is the larger city
— approximately 23.8x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Dalian 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 | Dalian | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,500,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.87% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dalian
Advantages
Robust industrial base in petrochemicals, automotive, shipbuilding, and high-tech sectors, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
Recognized as a national innovation city and a benchmark for international business environment, attracting foreign investment and fostering a dynamic business climate.
High quality of life with an appealing urban environment, well-developed infrastructure, and consistently good air quality for over 315 days annually.
A vibrant coastal city offering pleasant summers, scenic beaches, diverse cultural experiences, and a range of outdoor activities.
Serves as a crucial international comprehensive transportation hub with a deep-water port and extensive global shipping connections.
Drawbacks
While public transport is strong, traffic congestion can still be a challenge in certain areas, impacting commute times.
Winters are notably cold and windy, requiring substantial warm clothing for outdoor activities.
Air quality, while generally good, can experience periods of moderate to poor pollution.
Limited specific data for certain economic and social metrics (e.g., median household income, job growth rate) from recent years makes detailed analysis challenging.
The reliability of some crowd-sourced data, such as traffic and transportation habits, may be affected by a low number of contributors.
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.
Dalian
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$403
Avg Salary
$13,224
Cost Index
25
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
70.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.87%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
75
Business
70
Cincinnati
#56Ohio, 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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