Performance
Score Breakdown
Laramie
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laramie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Akron.
| Metric | Laramie | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,149 | $1,123 | +2% |
| Groceries | $377 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $352 | $234 | +50% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $138 | $130 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,136 | $2,586 | -17% |
| 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 Laramie is estimated at
$31,776 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Laramie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,136 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $31,776 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,564 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $55,613 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Laramie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 46.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laramie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Laramie 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 | Laramie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 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 Laramie.
From a growth perspective, Laramie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laramie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laramie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,511 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laramie
Advantages
The cost of living in Laramie is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Laramie has a violent crime rate significantly below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
There are abundant outdoor activities available, including hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing, due to its proximity to mountains and forests.
Commute times are significantly shorter than the national average, at only 13 minutes.
Drawbacks
Childcare and dining out costs can be more expensive in Laramie compared to the national average.
Some residents may need to travel to larger cities for specialized medical care or extensive shopping options.
Despite growth, Laramie can still feel somewhat isolated, with a "middle of nowhere" feel for some.
The median household income in Laramie is lower than the national average.
The housing market, while affordable, has seen a slight decrease in median home prices in early 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.
Laramie
#22Wyoming, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,149
Avg Salary
$65,136
Cost Index
95
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
2.20%
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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