Performance
Score Breakdown
Gatineau
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gatineau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gatineau's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Gatineau | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,273 | $2,586 | -12% |
| 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 Gatineau is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Gatineau | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gatineau | 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 Gatineau.
Gatineau 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 | Gatineau | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gatineau is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Gatineau 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 | Gatineau | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,193 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.01% | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gatineau
Advantages
Gatineau offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ottawa, with an aggregate house price of $438,000 in 2024, approximately $300,000 less than Ottawa.
The city is recognized as one of Canada's most affordable cities, ranking 15th on a list by Royal LePage in 2024.
Gatineau provides a more affordable housing market, with median single-family home prices around $490,000, similar to the previous year, and condos slightly increasing to $312,000.
The city is part of the National Capital Region, offering access to a broad job market and a wide range of industries, particularly in public administration and technology.
Gatineau boasts a rich natural environment with Gatineau Park offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Gatineau have increased, with average rents climbing by 7.6% in 2024, exceeding national inflation and making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
The housing market faces pressure from population growth and migration from Ottawa, leading to low vacancy rates and affordability challenges.
While public transit is available, Gatineau is generally car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle.
Healthcare services in Gatineau may have longer wait times and less robust emergency care compared to Ottawa.
Childcare costs are substantially lower in Gatineau, but there are limited English-speaking education options.
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.
Gatineau
#13Quebec, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.01%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#108Ohio, 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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