City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Colorado Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Colorado Springs.
Housing costs are a major driver: Colorado Springs's average rent is
56% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,123 | +56% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $170 | $234 | -27% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,586 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 3% 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 Colorado Springs is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 45.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Colorado Springs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Colorado Springs 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 | Colorado Springs | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | — |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Colorado Springs
Advantages
Median home value remains more accessible than Denver metro counterparts per Zillow 2026 data
Unemployment rate sits at a healthy 4.1% matching competitive national benchmarks per BLS
Unmatched proximity to iconic outdoor recreation including Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Robust local economy driven by aerospace, defense technology, and high-tech sectors
Average monthly earnings outpace national averages per recent BLS occupational wage reports
Drawbacks
High elevation and dry climate require adjustment periods for new residents
Significant car dependency across sprawling suburban neighborhoods limits transit utility
Property crime rates in certain central urban pockets remain above national medians
Rapid historical growth has strained local infrastructure and traffic capacity on I-25
Home prices and rents have escalated significantly compared to pre-2020 affordability levels
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.
Colorado Springs
#307Colorado, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
80
Business
72
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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