City Comparison
Commerce City vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Commerce City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Commerce City
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Commerce City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Commerce City's average rent is
44% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Commerce City | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,614 | $1,123 | +44% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $130 | +77% |
| Monthly Total | $2,544 | $2,586 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Commerce City offers 12% 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 Commerce City is estimated at
$64,560 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Commerce City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,560 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,392 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $111,972 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Commerce City runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Commerce City comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Commerce City sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Commerce City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Commerce City.
Commerce City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Commerce City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Commerce City.
From a growth perspective, Commerce City 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 | Commerce City | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,400 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | — |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Commerce City
Advantages
Strategic geographic location adjacent to Denver International Airport and major interstate corridors
Home to the unique 15,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
More attainable median home values compared to downtown Denver proper
Direct commuter rail access to downtown Denver via the RTD N Line
Thriving master-planned communities offering modern amenities and family-oriented neighborhoods
Drawbacks
Higher than average exposure to heavy industrial zoning and logistics truck traffic in older sectors
Moderate to high car dependency for daily commuting outside of transit-oriented hubs
Rapid population growth has put upward pressure on local housing and rental costs
Varying commercial retail density depending on the specific neighborhood or development phase
Proximity to major industrial facilities can create localized air quality and environmental concerns
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.
Commerce City
#91Colorado, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,614
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
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 Commerce City and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator