City Comparison
Horace vs Akron
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Horace
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Horace is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Horace's average rent is
29% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Horace | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,123 | +29% |
| Groceries | $420 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $175 | $234 | -25% |
| Transport | $130 | $357 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $130 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,586 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 7% 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 Horace is estimated at
$58,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Horace | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Horace runs warmer on average — a 44.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Horace comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Horace sees 30.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Horace | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Horace scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Horace | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Horace has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Horace | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,433 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 8.50% | — |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
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.
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
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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