City Comparison
Greeley vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Greeley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greeley
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Greeley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greeley's average rent is
33% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Greeley | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $1,123 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,435 | $2,586 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 15% 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 Greeley is estimated at
$52,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Greeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,263 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $69,881 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Greeley runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Greeley comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Greeley sees 20.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Greeley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Greeley leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Greeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Greeley.
From a growth perspective, Greeley 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 | Greeley | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,073 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | — |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Greeley
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents remain significantly more affordable than the Colorado state average and neighboring Front Range cities.
A diversified and resilient local economy featuring major employers in food processing, energy, and healthcare.
A youthful, vibrant population and collegiate atmosphere anchored by the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College.
Extensive recreational amenities including over 30 parks, miles of trails, and cultural venues like the Union Colony Civic Center.
Recognized economic growth momentum and status as a prominent Northern Colorado regional hub.
Drawbacks
Certain industrial and agricultural operations can create localized odors and environmental management challenges across parts of the city.
Public transit options outside core areas are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal vehicles for daily commutes.
Poverty rates in specific neighborhoods remain slightly higher than the state average due to demographic shifts.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on traffic congestion along key arterial corridors during peak hours.
Proximity to heavy industrial and energy extraction sites draws ongoing debate regarding environmental and land-use policies.
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.
Greeley
#235Colorado, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
72
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 Greeley and Akron.
Open Cost Calculator