City Comparison
Clearwater vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clearwater scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Clearwater.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
56% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,123 | +56% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $115 | $357 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,586 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 14% 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 Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Clearwater | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clearwater runs warmer on average — a 73.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clearwater sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clearwater | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Clearwater scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Clearwater.
From a growth perspective, Clearwater is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clearwater | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
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.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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