Performance
Score Breakdown
Jacksonville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Jacksonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jacksonville's average rent is
11% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $2,586 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 58% 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 Jacksonville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,946 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,683 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $49,666 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Jacksonville 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 | Jacksonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Jacksonville 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 | Jacksonville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,400 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
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.
Jacksonville
#106Arkansas, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
Akron
#106Ohio, 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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