Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toronto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
50% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Toronto | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,123 | +50% |
| Groceries | $353 | $742 | -52% |
| Utilities | $155 | $234 | -34% |
| Transport | $92 | $357 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $130 | -23% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $2,586 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 28% 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 Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Toronto | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 16x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | % |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
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.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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
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