Performance
Score Breakdown
Nitro
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% lower compared to Akron.
| Metric | Nitro | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,123 | +7% |
| Groceries | $0 | $742 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $234 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $357 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,200 | $2,586 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 8% higher 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 Nitro is estimated at
$19,440 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Nitro | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,954 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $19,440 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,172 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $53,848 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nitro | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Nitro.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nitro | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Nitro 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 | Nitro | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,366 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
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.
Nitro
#92West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
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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