City Comparison
Carmel vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carmel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carmel
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Carmel.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carmel's average rent is
118% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Carmel | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,123 | +118% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $282 | $234 | +21% |
| Transport | $399 | $357 | +12% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $130 | +123% |
| Monthly Total | $3,821 | $2,586 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 7% 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 Carmel is estimated at
$63,207 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Carmel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,750 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $63,207 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,573 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $141,505 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carmel runs warmer on average — a 53.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carmel comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carmel sees 19.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carmel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Carmel 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 | Carmel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | — | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Carmel.
From a growth perspective, Carmel is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Carmel has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carmel | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,568 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.88% | — |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carmel
Advantages
Carmel boasts a high median household income of $141,505 as of 2024, significantly above the national average.
The city has an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 3% as of July 2026.
Carmel is recognized for its high safety, with a safety index of 96 and a total crime rate of 0.88%.
Residents benefit from excellent healthcare options, including multiple hospitals and specialty care centers.
The city offers a high quality of life with award-winning schools, extensive parks, and a vibrant Arts & Design District.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Carmel is slightly higher than the national average, with housing being a primary driver of costs.
There is a noted shortage of entry-level housing options, making it challenging for young professionals and those looking to downsize.
Average rent prices have increased by 3.9% year-over-year as of September 2026.
Home care costs in Carmel are approximately 25-36% higher than both the Indiana state and national averages.
The average salary in Carmel ($67,750) is lower than the national average GDP per capita ($90,027), indicating a potential gap in earning power relative to the country's overall economic output.
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.
Carmel
#15Indiana, USA
74.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$67,750
Cost Index
96
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.88%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Carmel and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator