City Comparison
Elko vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elko scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elko
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elko is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Akron.
| Metric | Elko | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,087 | $1,123 | -3% |
| Groceries | $415 | $742 | -44% |
| Utilities | $267 | $234 | +14% |
| Transport | $150 | $357 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $130 | +54% |
| Monthly Total | $2,119 | $2,586 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 1% 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 Elko is estimated at
$43,476 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Elko | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,476 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $79,036 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elko runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elko comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elko sees 34.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elko | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elko | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | — | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Elko.
From a growth perspective, Elko is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elko has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elko | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,357 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.66% | — |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elko
Advantages
Elko County had a low unemployment rate of 2.8% in August 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The city boasts a rich cultural scene, hosting events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the National Basque Festival.
The median days on market for homes was 26 days in September 2026, down significantly year-over-year, suggesting properties move quickly.
Elko's average commute time is relatively short, estimated at 20 minutes.
The safety index for Elko was 76 in 2026, indicating a generally safe environment.
Drawbacks
Median rent prices in Elko saw a substantial year-over-year increase of 97.75% to $2,373 per month in September 2026.
Elko is considered a car-dependent city with limited public transit options.
The cost of living in Elko is higher than 71% of cities in North America as of September 2026.
The housing market was a buyer's market in September 2026, with homes selling for approximately the asking price on average, but with a supply greater than demand.
Specific data on advanced healthcare services and specialized medical costs for Elko are not readily available.
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.
Elko
#167Nevada, USA
64.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,087
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.66%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
72
Business
70
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 Elko and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator