Performance
Score Breakdown
Brandenburg an der Havel
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brandenburg an der Havel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
45% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brandenburg an der Havel's average rent is
54% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Brandenburg an der Havel | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $515 | $1,123 | -54% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,415 | $2,586 | -45% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 41% 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 Brandenburg an der Havel is estimated at
$35,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Brandenburg an der Havel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,876 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,133 idx | 85,882 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brandenburg an der Havel runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brandenburg an der Havel comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brandenburg an der Havel sees 10.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brandenburg an der Havel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Brandenburg an der Havel.
Brandenburg an der Havel scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brandenburg an der Havel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brandenburg an der Havel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Brandenburg an der Havel.
From a growth perspective, Brandenburg an der Havel 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 | Brandenburg an der Havel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,113 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.00% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | |
| Unemployment | 9.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brandenburg an der Havel
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to major German cities [14, 34].
Rich historical heritage, serving as the original capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg [5, 21].
Abundant natural beauty with extensive waterways and green spaces, ideal for outdoor recreation [6, 21].
Designated as a Regional Growth Core (RWK), indicating focus on economic development and innovation [10, 25].
Moderate unemployment rate and active job market in key sectors like healthcare and logistics [12, 28].
Drawbacks
Median household income data is not readily available, making detailed financial planning challenging.
Specific walkability and transit scores are not provided, though general accessibility is implied.
While generally safe, petty crime can occur, requiring standard urban precautions [18].
The city's economy is still developing, with some sectors showing slower growth compared to national averages [9].
Median age data is not explicitly available in the search results.
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.
Brandenburg an der Havel
#3Brandenburg, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$515
Avg Salary
$42,876
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.00%
Unemployment
9.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Akron
#128Ohio, 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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