Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis's average rent is
28% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | St. Louis | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $1,123 | +28% |
| Groceries | $385 | $742 | -48% |
| Utilities | $195 | $234 | -17% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $2,586 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 38% 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 St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, St. Louis 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 | St. Louis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
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.
St. Louis
#94Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
Akron
#102Ohio, 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between St. Louis and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator