City Comparison
Hays vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hays scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hays's average rent is
24% lower than Akron's.
| Metric | Hays | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,123 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $742 | -49% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $110 | $357 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $130 | +62% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $2,586 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 26% 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 Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Hays | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hays runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hays comes out ahead with 283 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hays sees 14.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hays has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Hays scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Hays is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hays has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hays | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hays
Advantages
Median home prices in Hays remain significantly more affordable than the national average per recent housing data.
Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University provide robust employment and economic stability for the region.
Crime rates in Hays are consistently well below national averages, ensuring a safe family environment.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, typically under 15 minutes across the city.
The local economy features a lower-than-average unemployment rate supported by diverse industries.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires significant travel for specialized entertainment or shopping.
Extreme continental weather brings hot summers and cold, windy winters with occasional severe storms.
Limited public transportation options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Regional dining and retail options, while growing, are more limited compared to larger Kansas cities.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten during the academic year due to the influx of university students.
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.
Hays
#93Kansas, USA
67.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
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
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