City Comparison
Dubbo vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dubbo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dubbo
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dubbo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dubbo's average rent is
48% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Dubbo | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,123 | -48% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $90 | $357 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,500 | $2,586 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 11% 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 Dubbo is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Dubbo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dubbo runs warmer on average — a 64.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dubbo comes out ahead with 301 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dubbo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dubbo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 64.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 301 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Dubbo.
Dubbo 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 | Dubbo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 49.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dubbo.
From a growth perspective, Dubbo 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 | Dubbo | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,843 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dubbo
Advantages
Dubbo offers a more affordable housing market compared to major Australian cities, with median house prices significantly lower than in Sydney.
The city has a diverse and resilient economy, with key sectors including healthcare, construction, retail, education, and agriculture, reducing reliance on any single industry.
Dubbo's public transport network has seen significant improvements, with an 87% increase in timetabled bus services, enhancing connectivity within the city and to surrounding towns.
The region is experiencing substantial investment in renewable energy and mining projects, such as the Dubbo Zirconia Project and a Renewable Energy Zone, creating job opportunities and economic growth.
Dubbo offers a high quality of life with a strong community spirit, abundant outdoor recreational activities, and access to amenities like the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Drawbacks
Dubbo has higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the New South Wales and national averages, although crime rates have shown a decrease in recent years.
The rental market in Dubbo is under significant pressure, characterized by extremely low vacancy rates and strong rental growth, making it challenging to find available properties.
While improving, Dubbo's walkability score is moderate, and the city remains largely car-dependent for daily transportation needs.
The housing market is experiencing strong price growth, which, despite remaining relatively affordable compared to major cities, is putting pressure on affordability for some residents.
There is a lack of dwelling diversity in Dubbo, with over 85% of housing stock being detached houses, indicating unmet demand for medium-density housing options.
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.
Dubbo
#19New South Wales, Australia
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
49.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
301/yr
Avg Temp
64.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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