City Comparison
Greer vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Greer scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greer
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Akron is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Greer.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greer's average rent is
60% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Greer | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,123 | +60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,750 | $2,586 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 19% 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 Greer is estimated at
$52,632 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Greer | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,259 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,632 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,120 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $82,626 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Greer runs warmer on average — a 61.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Greer comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Greer sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greer | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 69.00% | 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 | Greer | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | 25.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Greer.
From a growth perspective, Greer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Greer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Greer | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,676 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.34% | — |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Greer
Advantages
Greer's population is experiencing rapid growth, increasing by 5.34% annually as of 2026.
The overall cost of living in Greer is 9-11% lower than the national average.
Greer boasts a high livability score of 81/100, ranking it among the best places in South Carolina.
The city has a strong job market anchored by major employers like BMW Manufacturing and the Inland Port.
Greer offers a vibrant downtown district with diverse dining, shopping, and numerous community events.
Drawbacks
Greer is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 25, meaning most errands require a car.
Property crime incidents occur at a higher rate than violent crimes, particularly in commercial areas.
Healthcare costs in Greer are approximately 4% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate increased by 35.6% from the previous year in 2024.
Despite overall affordability, housing costs are soaring due to high demand, making it one of the pricier suburbs in the Upstate.
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.
Greer
#29South Carolina, USA
72.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$59,259
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
25.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
61.60°F
Pop. Growth
5.34%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
81
Business
78
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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