Performance
Score Breakdown
Douai
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Douai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
35% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Douai's average rent is
33% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Douai | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,123 | -33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $185 | $234 | -21% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,675 | $2,586 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 52% 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 Douai is estimated at
$30,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Douai | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,387 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,249 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $32,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Douai | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Douai.
Douai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Douai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Douai | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Douai.
From a growth perspective, Douai 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 | Douai | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,250 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.25% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Douai
Advantages
Douai's historic belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering cultural and architectural significance.
The city offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to the French national average, with competitive rental prices.
Douai is well-connected by train to major cities like Lille and Paris, facilitating travel and commuting.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, including the traditional Gayant giants festival, which is a UNESCO-recognized tradition.
Douai benefits from its location on the River Scarpe, offering pleasant waterfront areas for recreation and relaxation.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Douai has historically been higher than the national average.
Public transport reliability can be an issue, with reports of delays on train lines and less reliable bus services in surrounding villages.
While generally safe, some areas may have higher crime rates, and the city's safety index is noted as 44 by one source.
The city's economy has faced challenges due to the decline of traditional industries like coal mining and textiles.
Nightlife options in Douai are limited, with 'nothing or almost nothing' reported by some residents.
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.
Douai
#8Hauts-de-France, France
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$35,387
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.25%
Unemployment
7.30%
Livability
72
Business
65
Akron
#123Ohio, 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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