Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cambridge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
32% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,480 | $1,123 | +32% |
| Groceries | $340 | $742 | -54% |
| Utilities | $115 | $234 | -51% |
| Transport | $75 | $357 | -79% |
| Healthcare | $72 | $130 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $2,586 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 45% 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 Cambridge is estimated at
$32,800 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Cambridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,490 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $32,800 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,635 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $66,681 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cambridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Cambridge 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 | Cambridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Cambridge.
From a growth perspective, Cambridge 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 | Cambridge | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,908 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.36% | % |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
Cambridge crime rates are 26% lower than the national average, indicating a high level of safety. [cite: 14 in previous step]
The city boasts a strong and diverse industrial base, including advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors, with major employers like Toyota. [cite: 16, 21 in previous step]
Cambridge Memorial Hospital completed a major expansion by 2024, offering modern acute care facilities. [cite: 19, 35 in previous step]
The city offers extensive natural trails and is situated along the Grand River, providing ample outdoor recreational opportunities. [cite: 7, 13, 15, 38 in previous step]
Cambridge maintains a rich heritage character with distinctive limestone architecture and vibrant cultural districts like the Gaslight District. [cite: 7, 11, 13, 15, 26, 27 in previous step]
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo CMA was 8.1% as of July 2026, which is higher than the national average. [cite: 29 in previous step]
Housing costs are a significant concern, with average rent being higher than the Canadian national average and home prices substantial. [cite: 3, 4, 10, 13, 23, 24 in previous step]
Public confidence in the healthcare system in Cambridge was reported as lower compared to other regional municipalities in 2023. [cite: 9, 45, 49 in previous step]
The city has a relatively low Walk Score (33) and Transit Score (35), indicating a car-dependent environment for most errands. [cite: 19, 22, 30, 41 in previous step]
Specific pockets within Downtown Galt and other areas experience higher rates of minor crimes like property crime and visible homelessness.
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.
Cambridge
#21Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,480
Avg Salary
$40,490
Cost Index
85
Commute
min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.36%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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