City Comparison
Harrington vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Harrington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Harrington
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Harrington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Harrington's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Harrington | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $390 | $742 | -47% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $115 | $357 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $2,586 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 21% 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 Harrington is estimated at
$50,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Harrington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Harrington runs warmer on average — a 56.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Harrington comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Harrington sees 20.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Harrington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Harrington.
Harrington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Harrington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Harrington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Harrington 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 | Harrington | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,815 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Harrington
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates remain well below the national average per recent housing data.
Central geographic location provides easy driving access to Delaware beaches and Dover.
Hosts the popular annual Delaware State Fair, bringing vibrant community culture and events.
Low crime rates and a family-friendly atmosphere foster a strong sense of personal security.
Absence of state sales tax in Delaware offers everyday savings on retail purchases.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Fewer high-paying local corporate headquarters, requiring many residents to commute to Dover or beyond.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within city limits outside of seasonal events.
Humid subtropical summers bring high humidity levels during peak months.
Slower high-speed broadband and fiber internet expansion in certain outlying rural pockets.
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.
Harrington
#206Delaware, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
67
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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