Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
49% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Barrie | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,669 | $1,123 | +49% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $182 | $234 | -22% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,586 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 31% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$66,756 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Barrie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,212 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,756 | $66,000 |
| Household Income | $73,434 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Akron.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barrie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Barrie.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,419 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | % |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
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.
Barrie
#23Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
Akron
#113Ohio, 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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