Performance
Score Breakdown
Altona
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altona's average rent is
44% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Altona | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,618 | $1,123 | +44% |
| Groceries | $362 | $742 | -51% |
| Utilities | $208 | $234 | -11% |
| Transport | $69 | $357 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,257 | $2,586 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altona is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Altona | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,008 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,726 idx | 85,882 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altona | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Altona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altona | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altona is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Altona is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altona | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 281,136 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | % |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altona
Advantages
Altona has a strong job market, particularly in media, advertising, and creative industries.
The borough offers excellent public transport connections via S-Bahn and U-Bahn, ensuring easy commutes.
Altona is known for its diverse, family-friendly environment and beautiful Elbe river views.
The area features a lively cultural scene with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and farmer's markets.
Altona is considered a safe place to live, with a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
Drawbacks
Rent in Altona is higher compared to some other districts within Hamburg.
Finding an apartment in Altona can be challenging due to high demand and low vacancy rates.
Some parts of Altona can feel too quiet in the evenings, depending on the specific neighborhood.
Parking can be confusing due to the prevalence of one-way streets.
There are reports of visible drug users and alcoholics near the train station, though they are generally described as peaceful.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Altona
#2Hamburg, Germany
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,618
Avg Salary
$46,008
Cost Index
70
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
85.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
80
Business
70
Akron
#98Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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