Performance
Score Breakdown
Kitchener
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Kitchener.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kitchener's average rent is
55% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Kitchener | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,738 | $1,123 | +55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,658 | $2,586 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 29% 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 Kitchener is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Kitchener | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,950 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,684 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $87,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kitchener | 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
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Kitchener.
Kitchener 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 | Kitchener | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kitchener is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Kitchener 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 | Kitchener | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 256,885 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 6.40% | % |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kitchener
Advantages
Strong job growth in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge CMA, with a 7.9% increase in employment in December 2024.
Affordable cost of living compared to many other major Canadian cities, with an estimated cost of living index of 95.
Highly walkable downtown core and good public transit options, including the ION light rail.
Vibrant cultural scene with major events like Oktoberfest and a rich German heritage.
Access to green spaces and recreational areas, including parks and trails along the Grand River.
Drawbacks
Crime rates are reported to be 35% higher than the Ontario average.
Public transit consistency can be an issue, with reports of punctuality problems.
Finding a family doctor can be challenging due to long waitlists at clinics.
Some areas of the city exhibit higher car dependency, impacting walkability outside the downtown core.
Recent slowdown in population growth, potentially impacting future economic momentum.
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.
Kitchener
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,738
Avg Salary
$51,950
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
72.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
6.40%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#117Ohio, 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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