Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Worth
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Worth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Worth's average rent is
36% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Fort Worth | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,525 | $1,123 | +36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,475 | $2,586 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 11% 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 Fort Worth is estimated at
$55,002 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Fort Worth | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,002 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $79,507 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fort Worth | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth 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 | Fort Worth | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Worth is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Fort Worth 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 | Fort Worth | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,028,117 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.00% | % |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $139.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Worth
Advantages
Fort Worth's population surpassed 1 million residents in 2024, making it the 11th most populous U.S. city and one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
The median household income in Fort Worth grew to $79,507 in 2024, a 3.79% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Fort Worth is generally lower than the national average, with reasonable utility and internet costs.
Fort Worth's job market is strong and growing, with significant expansion in professional and business services, financial activities, and trade, transportation, and utilities.
The city offers a rich cultural experience, blending its Western heritage with world-class museums and diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
Fort Worth is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low transit access score.
Average commute times in Fort Worth are slightly longer than the U.S. average, and traffic congestion can be significant during peak hours.
While housing remains relatively affordable compared to some major cities, its affordability has started to wane due to rapid population growth.
The city's overall walkability score is low, making it challenging to accomplish most errands on foot outside of specific neighborhoods.
The growth rate in Tarrant County, which centers on Fort Worth, slowed in 2025 compared to previous years.
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.
Fort Worth
#22Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,525
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#101Ohio, 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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