Performance
Score Breakdown
Zhaotong
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhaotong is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
69% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zhaotong's average rent is
76% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $273 | $1,123 | -76% |
| Groceries | $300 | $742 | -60% |
| Utilities | $80 | $234 | -66% |
| Transport | $50 | $357 | -86% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $130 | -23% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $2,586 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 85% 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 Zhaotong is estimated at
$9,636 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,172 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $9,636 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,913 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Zhaotong.
Zhaotong scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zhaotong leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhaotong is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Zhaotong 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 | Zhaotong | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.09% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zhaotong
Advantages
Very low cost of living, with average monthly expenses for an individual around $618.
Affordable rental market, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $273 per month.
Rich agricultural sector, being China's largest high-quality apple production base in the south.
Extensive public bus network providing affordable city transit.
Generally safe environment for residents and travelers.
Drawbacks
Average salaries are significantly lower than national urban averages, with a median after-tax monthly salary of $931.
Lack of a metro or tram system, relying solely on buses for public transit.
Traffic congestion can be heavy on busy main roads.
Limited specific city-level data for various economic and demographic metrics, indicating less developed data infrastructure.
No direct data available for median age, making demographic analysis less complete.
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.
Zhaotong
#13Yunnan, China
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$273
Avg Salary
$11,172
Cost Index
32
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.09%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
Akron
#127Ohio, 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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