City Comparison
Bologna vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bologna scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bologna
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bologna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bologna's average rent is
11% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Bologna | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $190 | $234 | -19% |
| Transport | $45 | $357 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,015 | $2,586 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 53% 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 Bologna is estimated at
$30,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Bologna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,463 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $36,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bologna runs warmer on average — a 59.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bologna comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bologna sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bologna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bologna.
Bologna scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bologna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bologna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 85.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bologna is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Bologna 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 | Bologna | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bologna
Advantages
Home to the University of Bologna, providing a vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere
World-renowned culinary capital offering exceptional local gastronomy and vibrant food markets
Strategic geographic location with a major high-speed railway hub connecting all of Italy
Extensive UNESCO-listed medieval porticos providing pedestrian cover across the historic center
Robust regional economy with low unemployment and strong advanced manufacturing sectors
Drawbacks
Competitive and increasingly expensive rental housing market driven by student and tourist demand
Strict traffic regulations (ZTL) and limited parking options within the historic city center
Summer temperatures can be humid and high due to the Po Valley basin geography
Bureaucratic administrative processes typical of major Italian municipal governance
High demand for property has pushed purchase prices upward across desirable central districts
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.
Bologna
#51Emilia-Romagna, Italy
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
85.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
59.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
86
Business
76
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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