Performance
Score Breakdown
Aachen
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aachen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
34% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aachen's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Aachen | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $856 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $350 | $742 | -53% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $73 | $357 | -80% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,709 | $2,586 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 94% 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 Aachen is estimated at
$2,943 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Aachen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,680 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,943 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,750 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aachen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 79.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Aachen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aachen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aachen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aachen is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Aachen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aachen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aachen | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aachen
Advantages
Aachen offers a high quality of life with top-notch healthcare and public transport.
The city boasts a growing economy and a strong tech hub, leading to numerous job opportunities, especially in technology and engineering.
Aachen has low crime rates, making it a safe place to live.
Its location near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands provides excellent travel perks and a diverse cultural experience.
The cost of living, particularly rent, is more affordable compared to major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Drawbacks
Aachen's weather can be a drawback, with frequent rain, especially during winter.
While English is common, a good grasp of German is often necessary for daily life and local job opportunities.
The housing market is competitive, and finding accommodation, especially for students, can involve long waiting lists.
The nightlife scene is not as extensive as in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne.
Making friends with local residents can be challenging for expats, with a lower ease-of-making-friends score compared to the global average.
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.
Aachen
#3North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$856
Avg Salary
$4,680
Cost Index
48
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#108Ohio, 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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