City Comparison
Echuca vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Echuca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Echuca
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Echuca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Echuca's average rent is
11% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Echuca | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,123 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $160 | $234 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $190 | $130 | +46% |
| Monthly Total | $2,090 | $2,586 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 29% 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 Echuca is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Echuca | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $54,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Echuca runs warmer on average — a 62.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Echuca comes out ahead with 309 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Echuca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Echuca | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 60.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 309 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Echuca has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Echuca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Echuca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Echuca | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Echuca.
From a growth perspective, Echuca 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 | Echuca | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,200 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Echuca
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates are significantly more affordable than Melbourne metropolitan averages.
High quality of life centered around Murray River recreation, boating, and outdoor activities.
Strong local tourism and agricultural economy providing stable regional employment.
Low crime rates and a tight-knit, family-friendly community atmosphere.
Comprehensive regional healthcare services anchored by Echuca Regional Health.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transit infrastructure beyond regional rail links.
Hotter summer conditions and periodic Murray River flood risks require community preparedness.
Limited high-paying specialized corporate jobs locally, pushing some professionals toward remote work.
Tight rental vacancy rates driven by high demand for regional relocation housing.
Distance from major capital cities (Melbourne is roughly a 2.5-hour drive or train ride).
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.
Echuca
#2Victoria, Australia
66.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
62.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
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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