Performance
Score Breakdown
Akron
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Akron's average rent is
25% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Akron | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $1,500 | -25% |
| Groceries | $742 | $650 | +14% |
| Utilities | $234 | $235 | -0% |
| Transport | $357 | $150 | +138% |
| Healthcare | $130 | $152 | -14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,586 | $2,687 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 48% 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 Akron is estimated at
$66,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Akron | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,000 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,882 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $48,076 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Akron | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Akron | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Akron | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,664 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Akron
#102Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
Grand Rapids
#23Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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