Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
41% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $1,123 | +41% |
| Groceries | $623 | $742 | -16% |
| Utilities | $409 | $234 | +75% |
| Transport | $350 | $357 | -2% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $3,165 | $2,586 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 15% 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 Anchorage is estimated at
$125,309 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Anchorage | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,814 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $125,309 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $103,284 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anchorage | 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
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Akron has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anchorage | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 286,278 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
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.
Anchorage
#54Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Akron
#102Ohio, 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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