Performance
Score Breakdown
Spokane
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Cincinnati.
| Metric | Spokane | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,433 | $1,410 | +2% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $223 | $178 | +25% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,426 | $2,451 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 8% 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 Spokane is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Spokane | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,290 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,765 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $70,190 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Spokane | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Spokane scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spokane leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spokane | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Spokane.
From a growth perspective, Spokane 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 | Spokane | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,989 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spokane
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 3% below the national average, with housing costs being 13.9% lower than the national average.
Spokane offers abundant outdoor activities with 76 lakes within an hour's drive and proximity to mountains.
Washington State has no state income tax, providing a significant financial advantage to residents.
The average commute time in Spokane is around 20-22 minutes, which is shorter than the Washington state average.
Spokane is recognized as one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Spokane is 7.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Grocery costs in Spokane are approximately 8.8% higher than the national average.
Job growth is projected to slow down in 2026, and the housing market remains challenging for newcomers.
Spokane's economy has a heavy reliance on the healthcare industry, which poses a risk if growth in this sector falters.
Consumer spending behavior indicates an 'emotional recession' due to inflation eroding wage gains.
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.
Spokane
#25Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,433
Avg Salary
$72,290
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#62Ohio, 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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