City Comparison
Clinton vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clinton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clinton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clinton's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Clinton | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $360 | $742 | -51% |
| Utilities | $165 | $234 | -29% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $130 | +69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $2,586 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 26% 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 Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Clinton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clinton runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clinton comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clinton sees 22.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Clinton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Clinton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Clinton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Clinton.
From a growth perspective, Clinton 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 | Clinton | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
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.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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