City Comparison
Dover vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dover scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
29% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Dover | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,123 | +29% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $115 | $357 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,586 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 16% 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 Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Dover | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dover runs warmer on average — a 56.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dover comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dover sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Dover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Dover | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Dover.
From a growth perspective, Dover 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 | Dover | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dover
Advantages
Median home prices in Dover remain significantly more affordable than the national average and northern Delaware markets per Zillow 2024 data.
Strategic location in central Delaware offers easy driving access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and coastal beaches.
Rich historical heritage centered around the historic Dover Green and colonial-era architecture.
Delaware's favorable tax climate, including no state sales tax and low property taxes, benefits residents' overall cost of living.
Major community events such as NASCAR race weekends at Dover Motor Speedway bring vibrant entertainment and economic activity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options outside of core bus routes are limited, making car ownership a necessity for most daily activities.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates according to recent local police department reports.
Job market diversification outside of government, healthcare, and military sectors can be somewhat restricted.
Traffic congestion peaks significantly along Route 13 during major events and rush hours.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby metropolitan areas.
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.
Dover
#439Delaware, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
67
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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