Performance
Score Breakdown
Aurora
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aurora is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aurora's average rent is
53% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Aurora | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,715 | $1,123 | +53% |
| Groceries | $355 | $742 | -52% |
| Utilities | $355 | $234 | +52% |
| Transport | $88 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,513 | $2,586 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 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 Aurora is estimated at
$41,621 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Aurora | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,855 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $41,621 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,053 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $93,837 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aurora | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 50.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Aurora.
Aurora 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 | Aurora | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 43.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aurora is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Aurora 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 | Aurora | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 418,218 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | % |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aurora
Advantages
Aurora boasts a diverse and growing population, with a projected 418,218 residents in 2026.
The city is a major healthcare hub, home to the Anschutz Medical Campus and numerous hospitals, providing excellent medical access and employment.
Aurora offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with over 97 parks and 5,000 acres of open space and trails.
The average rent in Aurora is generally lower than in neighboring Denver, offering more affordable housing options.
The job market shows good growth, with a 1.71% employment increase in 2024, particularly in healthcare, retail, and construction sectors.
Drawbacks
Aurora has a significantly high crime rate, with an overall crime rate of 7,072 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 43 and limited public transit options in many areas.
The cost of living in Aurora is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 103.
Assisted living costs in Aurora are higher than both the state and national averages, at approximately $5,014 per month in 2024.
Healthcare costs are 19% higher than the national average, impacting overall affordability.
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.
Aurora
#69Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,715
Avg Salary
$61,855
Cost Index
103
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
43.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
65
Business
70
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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