Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakville
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oakville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakville's average rent is
56% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Oakville | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,749 | $1,123 | +56% |
| Groceries | $339 | $742 | -54% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $108 | $357 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,486 | $2,586 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakville offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakville is estimated at
$68,904 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Oakville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,896 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,904 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 89,414 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $110,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Oakville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oakville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oakville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Oakville 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 | Oakville | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 233,700 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakville
Advantages
Oakville consistently ranks among the safest communities in Canada with a low crime rate.
The town offers excellent access to healthcare services, ranking highly in Ontario and Canada.
Oakville has a highly educated population, with over 85% of adults holding post-secondary degrees.
The median household income in Oakville is significantly higher than the provincial average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Oakville is recognized for its vibrant community and high quality of life.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Oakville, particularly housing, is considerably higher than the national average.
Despite a recent drop, average rent in Oakville remains one of the highest in the country.
A car is generally essential for getting around Oakville due to its suburban layout.
Some services not covered by OHIP, such as doctor's notes or certain forms, incur additional fees.
While amenities are good, the amenities score can be surprisingly low in some livability assessments.
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.
Oakville
#3Ontario, Canada
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,749
Avg Salary
$76,896
Cost Index
86
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
84
Business
75
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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