City Comparison
Albany vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Albany scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
15% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Albany | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,123 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 34% 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 Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Albany | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Albany runs warmer on average — a 68.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Albany comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albany has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Albany scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albany | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Albany.
From a growth perspective, Albany 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 | Albany | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
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.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
Akron
#575Ohio, USA
46.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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