City Comparison
Athens vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Athens scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Athens
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Athens is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Athens's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Athens | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,245 | $2,586 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 15% 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 Athens is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Athens | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Athens runs warmer on average — a 63.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Athens comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Athens sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Athens | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Athens scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Athens leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Athens | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Athens.
From a growth perspective, Athens is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Athens has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Athens | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,561 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Athens
Advantages
Vibrant music and arts scene rooted in legendary alternative rock history and active local venues
World-class cultural and educational amenities driven by the University of Georgia
Cost of living that remains below the national average despite steady growth
Exceptional local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Piedmont Athens Regional and St. Mary's
Abundant green spaces including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the North Oconee River Greenway
Drawbacks
Significant traffic congestion and parking shortages during University of Georgia home football game days
Rental market volatility and higher prices driven by high student demand near downtown
Property crime rates that skew higher in densely populated student and entertainment zones
Warm and humid summer climate that can be oppressive for sensitive individuals
Limited heavy rail public transit connectivity to neighboring metropolitan hubs like Atlanta
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.
Athens
#287Georgia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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