City Comparison
Chicago vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chicago scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Chicago.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chicago's average rent is
83% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Chicago | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,123 | +83% |
| Groceries | $450 | $742 | -39% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $130 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,586 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chicago offers 7% higher 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 Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Chicago | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chicago runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chicago comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chicago sees 28.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Chicago.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 14.1x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Chicago 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 | Chicago | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
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.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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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